b z Divkion Section N« sec ' H O L Y Thoughts on a God Made Man; O R, The Myflerms Trinity Prov'd; ALSO Reafo^s giveriy That the Wife Creator Fram'd not tlic Vniverfal Jlly only tor the Benefit of this Earthly Globe^ but likewife for many other Worlds, WITH S.uhlime Co/Jteniplations on the U,^lhnited Bounds of Glory ; and feveral other Curious Subjects worthy of Note, particularly Exprcfs'd in the Table of Contents. TO WHICH Is added an ESSAY on the Mind of Man, with an After- HsfleHlon on the Final Period of all Human Intentions. i^'^, ' . > - Bytl^'AuthoTot^^^ MEDITATIONS ^ of A Divine SouL Hebrews I. 2. God hath in theje hfl days jpk^n to us by his SoUy xvhom he hath appointed Heir of all things^ and by vphvm he alfo tnade the iVorlds. LONDON, Printed by R. E. and Scld by T. Parkhurft at the Bible and thrCc Crowns Cheapftde ; B. Aylrner at the three Pigeons Cornhil ; J. Robthfon at the Golden Lien, and R. Simnfon ?.t th.'- Harp St. PauPi Churcb-Jard, W. Rogers at fh'^ Sun Flatjirea j E.RumbMl at the Poll-Houfe Covent- Garden ; F. Tbompfon St. James's Sireet near Piccadilly ; and J. Keijey two Doors beyond the Wh.te Swan Nero-Street. 1704. T H F. P R E F ACE. THERE are fo many Volumes al- ready Extanc, that explain the Sta- tutes ofHeaven in a Learned Style, and fo few which ferve to move the Af- fed:ions in a familiar Language, that I have purpofely wav'd making any long Expli- cations on the feveral portions of Scripture I recite^ and foon fall in with my main De- ifign, which is to wing the mod pure Dc- fires beyond the Verge of fenfual Pleafures, and give the Soul as it were a Breathe in the Air of Blifs 5 that it may the better conceive what it fliall enjoy, when it comes to lay down its burden of Flefli, and behold God in all his Tranfcendent Perfe6tions. If it be the Lot of thefe my Works to meet with fome Rafli and Inconfiderate A % Spirits, rhe T(FiEFAC E. ^ Spirits^ as I fear they will, who are for falHng out with me before they underftand any thing of the matter, more than a flight view of the Table of Contents, or a care- lefs fcan on here and there a Page, and proceed fo far as to clamonr againft them 3 faying, What myfterious Subjects are here ftarted 3 and what ftrange kind of Dodrines are theie, that fcarce treat of any thing elfe but new Worlds^ unfeen Stars^ and prodi- gious Planets ; of innumerable Suns, vaft Vacuums, and empty Spaces 5 of a Trini- ty and Unity, MyfteriouOy refiding in eve- ry pare of a Human Perfon, with many- other Speculative Notions of Things, re- lating to we know not what Ufe, Defign, or Purpofe, However^ notwithffcanding all this un- gentcel Ufage, and hard Cenfures, I fhall chear my felf up with this mighty Conli- deratioa, That as their Paffions cool, and they come to make a farther fearch, they'll modeftly Blufh, and chide down their rafh Diftafte, if not be fo ingenuous, as -to cry out, witii a Worthy Perfon in our Age in the the like Cafe : What aifd me to be fo par- tidy as to Judge before I heard -^ to Condemn ere I examined 3 and to execute Vifgrace on a Vain fur?)ii/e 5 /tnce upon an impartial fur- Vey, all is agreeable to Holy Writ^ and I find my felf in an unaccountable Error ? Upon the whole^ God is my Record, That I was ever fo averfe from all im- found Principles, and erroneous Opinions, that I incontinently refused them any En- tertainment in my mod Retired Thoughts, and would not fufier them to be recited in my Prefence with the leaft Approbation 5 much lefs did I ever prefume to crowd them into any of my fludied Works : Not but that I own, and exprefs it wich the greateft fatisfaction to my fclf, That when any thing happily penetrated into my purer Thoughts, v^/hich I knew to be in no wife prejudicial to Chrift's Reveal'd Religion, or injurious to any Community of Chriflians 5 but in ail cafes agreeable to Scripture^ Rea- fon, and Philofophy ^ and tending to the Confutation of Atheifm, Deifm, and Pror phanenefs, the three reigning Sins of the Times ^ The f(IiEFJCE. Titties 5 as alfo for the better Eftablifliing of wavering Minds more and more in their mofl: holy Fakh: I made them known, and took care to carry my Arguments as far as Triuh, Juftice, and Right would bear me out 3 as I have here again done, but with all poffible Circumfpedion, left I fhould give Offence to the Weak and Fro ward. I am fenfible, many will be apt to flrange at it, that I fo luddenly beget and bring forth another Volume, fince my laft is as yet fcarce Twelve Months Old. I anfwer, becauie I am very ambitious to make the moft I can of a fliort Life, in regard that Time glides on apace^ and it can't be long e're my Forehead begin to wrinkle, my Hair change Gray, my Voice tune low, my Eyes become dim, niy Knees tremble, my Joynts grow ftifF, my Hands fhake, my Pencil drop, and I fetch a figh and die : When I fhall be to alt things here, as if I had never been 3 lying ufeleis, as if I had never breathed 5 and difreoarded, as one that never aded the part The T'^EFACE. part of a Rational Being j and laid afide as ofFenfive to the Livings or as if the Righteous car'd not for me^ but banifii'd me for ever from their Prefence. Come hither then any one of my dear- eft Friends to the fide of my Tomb, un- cover my Sepulchre, open my Coffin, turn afide my Shroud, and fay to me, Move thyLips^ and Til prefent thee with a Delicious Cordial of Pearl . unclofe thine Eyes, and 111 fliew thee a charming Beauty j rear up thy Head^ and it (liall be incircled with a Crown of Mafly Gold $ ungrafp thy Hand, and I'll plant therein a Royal Scepter 5 put ofF thy unfeemly Gar- ments, and ril drefs thee in gorgeous Apparel 5 rife up from off thy hard Floor, and Til fet thee in a Velvet Chair of State 3 advance but one ftep^ and the World fliall be at thy Command. Alas! all thefe Propofals v/ould not be fuffici- cnt to make me ftir, or caufe me to take any notice of the offered Preferments 5 but I fliould appear deaf, as if 1 heard A 4 not. 77;e ^(IlEFACE. not, remain ftill as if I were carelefs, and feem referv'd for fome better proflFers, and more durable Enjoyments • then the hour will be, when I flhall Compofe no more Mid-night Thoughts for ever, indite no more Effays on the Sufferings of Jefm for ever^ or Pen down any Divine Sentences again 3 fo that what I dp muft be c]uick!y, or not at all Doubtiefs, from the Premifles rpy Rea- der will be apt to infer, That I am tranf- ported with Joy upon account that my late Volume met with fuch univerfal Ap- plaufe among the Serious and Good 3 I an- fwer, True it is, lam very glad, and think I ought to fliew fome more than ordinary appearance of Satisfadtion • and why i be- caufe the whole Trinity in the Heavenly Regions are pleas'd when a Prodigal re- turns, and all the Angels in Glory ihout forth with Joy, upon the Converlion of a Sinner. 7 he blifsful Regions of the new Je- rufalan eccho'd again with refounding Tri- umphs, when the Holy Jefus pronouncM thefe The (p(IiEFA C E. jthefe words to the Converted Thief on the Crofs, This day j})alt thou he with me in faradife, 1 he Prophets of old envoU'd it in the everlafting Archives, when their Prophecies were fulfiird, and their Sove?- raign Creator's Decrees obeyed. The A^ poftles of a meek Redeemer recorded it, when three thoufand Souls were Converted at one of their Sermons^ and a Perfecuting Saul became a Suflfering Ghriftian : The Fathers of the Primitive Church^Regifter'd it in their Divine Writings, when any of their Auditors became Profelytes, pr were added to the number of the Faithful. 0^- And farther, high and mighty Empe- rours generally caule the Silver Trumpet to be founded with a loud Alarm, and the Drums to beat a point of War, when an Heir apparent is born to their Imperial Thrpne, or their own Birth-day is Celebrated with the ufual Solemnities : Potent Monarchs command Illuminations to be made, when their Plenipotentiaries have concluded aif'Honourable Peace, or their The T^llEFJCE. their Forces lately fubdu d a Province ; lU luftrious Princes fliew an uncommon Vi- vacity of Spirit, when an Exprefs arrives that a Town is added to their Territories, and haughty Invaders have fneak'd out of the Field of Battel : Valiant Generals of Ar- mies give Diredions for their Artillery to be Difcharg d all round the Lines, when a Victory is obtain d^ and the Enemy defeat- ed : Brave Admirals of Royal Navies ga- ther in the bloody Flag, and hang out their flying Pendants^ when a Tyrant's Squadrons are driven back and put to flight : To con- fide, the induftrious Farmer appears re- viv'd, when he beholds his Seed fprouting forth in great abundance, and all his La- bours turn to much Increafe. Then why fliould any feem difpleas'd with me, for finging Praifes with my befl: AfFedionsj fince I have fo many undoubt- ed aiTurances, that, thro' the Divine Grace, my mean Works have wafted many a wea- ry Soul over the boifl:erous Surges of Folly, to the ftill and fafe Halbour of Reconcilia- tion V^e f %EFACE. don with God 5 and already fenc many Spi- rits triumphantly up to Heaven, where they are now at reft ? No : I can no m.are ceafe to take delight upon thefe Refledions, or fay, I am not pleas'd, than my Right Hand can reach the lofty Sky, when I hold it upwards, or my little Finger turn a Moun- tain topfie turvy, only by putting it under fome hollow part of its Bottom : Nay, I can no more conceal fuch real fatisfadion from my felf, than my Thoughts can Di- vine what another Man thinks, when I am altogether ignorant of his Affairs 5 or I can drown the World with a fd^ of my Penitential Tears : No, no • my Soul is of a far nobler Extradion, and my Mind more gracioufly difpos'd, than to knit the Brow when Tranfgreflbrs Amend, or to be forry at Heart when Offenders Pray. But fome may fay, from whence does all thisExtafie proceed, and to what pur- pofe IS it continu'd ? I anfwer, 'Tis not the Refuk of Vanity of Spyrit, but of Sincerity of of Affediorij it docs not fo much appear in the vifible Countenance, as in the fecret RecefTes of the Mind : For the Ahuighty carv'd me not out after his own Image, to be proud, vain-glorious, or ambitious ^ to be popular^ noted, or rever'd 5 to be feen, carefs'd or admir'd 5 but to be hum- ble, meek, and lowly . to be conceal'd, not known, or much regarded 3 to be mean, defpicable^ and rejeded : There- fore let none take it amifs, or think e're the worfe of thefe my Works, becaufe I tell them,Men were not fent into this World for fo mean and narrow a Defign^ as to pre- fix their Names to a Title-Page, or Re- cord to Pofterity what Figure they make in Church or State, or even to mention the Univerfity, College, or School, where they learnt their imperfect Knowledge of things in 5 but to be as ferviceable as they can to the Commonwealth, endeavouring at the lame time to be no more obferv'd in pub- lick, than an Hermit that never converfes with any body but himfelf 3 and valuing the empty title of Praife, ho more than a chafte Virgin 7he T DEFACE. Virgin regards the lafcivious Carefles of a deformed Fool. But here perhaps many may fay, doubt- lefs all this pretended Humility is exprefs'd^ becaufe the Author is a Perfon that has no con- fiderable Endowments, natural or acquirM, neither is he well defcended, or poffefs'd of any real or perfonal Eftate, and therefore he is fo deilrous to be conceal'd. I anfwer. As for my Natural Genius and acquired Parts, I readily own their Deficiency, nei- ther fhall I go about to vie cunning with my Neighbours in that refped: 3 and as to my Birth, it is neither Noble, nor ignoble'3 but for what relates to my Worldly Incomes, I think them fufficiently large to bear my neceffary Expences to the Charnel-Houfe of Death, without being burdenfome to others, or ever incumbering my felf with any Publick Affairs. And tho' I live as it were obfcure, un- heard of, and not much regarded • yet it is my peculiar Choice, as being what I al- ways aim'd at, aad fuch a Retirement as I can't The T^IIEFACE. can t but fancy the moft licentious Libertine will afpire to^ when he has Read over thefe Sheets with a ferious Confideration, and a due regard to the Trudis therein contairi'd. For I can truly affirm (without any often- tation or regard to Deceit) That the very Compofing of the feveral Subjeils, has fo wean'd me from a mortal State^ and carry'd my AfFe6lions above any thing I here be- hold, that fliould my Soveraign offer me her Court for a place of Refidence, her No- bles honour me with their repeated Vifits, and her Domefticks favour me with their conftant Attendance, I would modeftly re- jed: thefe ad vantagious Propofals with a firm Refolution. And indeed, I would much ra- ther chufe ftill to continue in my obfcure Manfion, where I have nothing elfe to do but to rife as foon as Day breaks, or the Sun is up, and looking out at the Cafemenc of my Windows into the adjacent Gardens, Fields, and Woods, hear a few melodious Hymns warbled forth by many fmall Con- gregations of the Airy Inhabitants, gathered together The ^^EVACE. together to offer up their Morning Sacrifi- ces, to him that protects their Young Ones by his Providential Care, and Weaves their furr'd Garments in his own Loom : After- wards entering my Study, I flhuc the Door, and learn in all things to imitate thofe pretty winged Quirifters in their innocent Praifes, Flights, and Anthems 5 then to my ftudi- ous Thoughts, 'till Nature calls for a Re- frefliment, or I think it is time to Drefs, and take a lonely Walk in the verdant Meadows, there to behold with aftonifli- ment feme part of the wondrous Works of the wide Creation 5 as the Sun, Moon, and Stars- Hills3Plains,andVallies5 Springs^ Brooks, and Ponds 5 Shades, Clofes, and Walks 3 Cattel, Fowl, and Fiflh5 Trees^ BlofToms, and Fruits ; Flowers, Corn, and Grafs 5 Herbs, Roots, and Seeds 5 with many other curious Prcdudions of Nature: When the Day is paft, and the Evening Twilight hid, I return home, fay my Prayers, and lay my felf down to Sleep* till at laft the days of my Pilgrimage being come The "PREFACE. come to a happy Period, i meekly bow the Head and expire, with alTured hopes to' rife again at the great Audit, and to enter the glorious Manfions of a bound lefs Eter- nity 3 where all that follow the Inftru6lions herein contain'd, will in due time certain- ly arrive. And thus I take leave to bid all my fe- rious Readers an hearty Farewel^ expelling to meet many of them on the Ipacious Plains of 5/ow-Hill 5 where they v/ill then know mCj and I fhall have the happinefs to be intimate with them: All which may the great God JehoVah fully accomplifli, for the Merits of a bleeding Jefus^ and Creator made Man^ to fave the Works of his own Power 5 and may all that believe a Trinity, own a Godhead, and acknow- ledge an Unity of the Divine Perlons, una- nimoiifly fay^ in the Terms of the moft excellent Kicene Creed, Glory he to God the Father^ Maker of HeaVen and Earth • to the only begotten Son of God ^ begotten of his Fa- ther before all Worlds • and to the Holy Ghofl the Lord and giyer of Life, Amen, Amen, Amen. CHAP. 1 1 ] CHAR I. The vanity of all Sublunary Enjoyments, RO U S E up, my languid Soul, revive my fainting Spirits, in order to be raptuj) in Divine Contemplations ; for now it is time to think of God, and make a Truce with Heaven, fince all things here below are empty y njAin^ and of no tntr'mfick Vdue : Then^ why fhould'll: thou, my Darling Soul, lye bask- ing in 'the lewci Tents of Folly ^ or continue in the deceitful Embraces- of carndPleafures ! Are there any Arguments fufficiently Efficacious to per« fwade thee to abide in the lonefome jhddes of vi- cious Hcihiis^ or tread the crooked f^ths that lead to endlefs Ruin <* If not, then unloofe the bonds of Iniquity, and let go the ^vong Chains of Damnation ) for thou art Created for nobler Ends^ than to be feduc'd by any Worldly Grandeur^ or outivard/hetvo? Sublunary Things. And indeed, Wliat .isall the pompous Page^ antry here on Earth, if comparM with the Se- raphick Jojs of the New Jerufaiem ? Then hafteJ away from its fawning Careffes^ and let thy fub- lime Thoughts foar up ta tlie Center cf Hap^ pinefs^ where thy Saviour Reigns in bltfsful Re^ gions : Oh then, my Soul, retire from the rank B SoU [ 2 3 Soil of Perfidious Sinners^ who inftrud their fondled Babes in the DeviPs Military Art^ which is to maintain an inteftine War againft God the Father^ Son^ and Holy Ghojl: Then pray, my Soul, oh ! pray, my Soul ! with the molt ardent Deftres^ that the blood of the. im- maculate Lamb^ flain from the Foundation of the World, may atone for thy erroneous Tranf- grejfions\ Oh! grieve, my dear Soul, that thou being formed after the Image of God, fhould'ft deface and fully that glorious Texture, fixM by his Almighty Power ^ and unerring Wtfdom, with- in the Confines of a mortal Body : Oh ! ftain not that pure Innocency in the poyfonous Stews of Sin, nor eclipfe fo Divine a Ray, in the Sul- fbureoHS Air of peftilential Vapours. O, my beloved Soul, let many Prayers with ftrong Cries, and ftreams of drizzling Tears, be offerM up, as Incenfe of a fweet-fmellmg Savour, to expiate for all the fad Mtftakes of a lewd Life, and fend thy {trained Voice to the Saviour of the World, who now inhabits beyond the Starry Firmament, and lives above the jhinmg Sun, That he would hear the fad Complaints of a foor polluted Wretch, newly efcaped from the brink of Ruin : Oh ! pray, my affectionate Joy, without ceafmg, till all thy Safe Abominations and Leprous Spots be thoroughly cleansM in that in- exhauftible Fountain of Mercy, which David the Royal Prophet bath'^d himfelf in, when defiPd with * thofe malignant fiains of Murder and A-- dtdtery. Oh! do nothing but pray, that thy Pardon t ?] Pardon may be feaPd by God^ fign'd by Chrijf^ and witnefs'd liy the Divine Spirit^ and when that is done, ftill fray without ceafmg^ lelt thou, my precious Darhng, fhouid^ij provoke Heaven thro^ Inadvertency, or a wilful Error, to cancel thofe Records of Love and Mercy ; and thereby thy Ufi EJiate become more mtjerahle than that of Judasy who perfidioully betrayed his Lord and Mafter, after he was calPd a Difciple and a Fol- lower of Jefis. Oh ! my Soul, how highly do I value thy Eternal Welfare^ even beyond ten thoufand heaps of glittering Jemls ; for what will all avail me, if thou art loft for ever f Art not thou, my Life, as immortal as any Man's that breaths on the Earth, and of much greater worth than a Load of fparkling Diadems ? Since, to gain the Trea-^ fures of the World by the lofs of thee, my precious Soul^ would be a moft Unhappy Contraft; then what ftupendious Folly may I be charged with, if I fliould barter thee away for fo jmall A Lot as may fall to my fhare, which can't amount to many Thoufand Founds /^r annumt Then retire my Delight, Oh ! retire my Soul, into fome private Study^ free from all the buftle of a noify World ! for how much better is it for thee to wait a while in fome fecret Recefs^ where no Eye peeps in, but that of God, and from thence defend to the Grave in peace, than to humour a little rvitlefs Rallery amidft the Juftling Crowds of Licentious Libertines ^ and expire with a Con- fcience over-laden wdth Lniquity^ fufficient to de- B 2 prefs C4] prefs it down into the lottvejl Abjfs of amazing Horrour. If thefe Reafons be agreeable to ReveaPd Re- tigioH^ why remain I lb much as one Moment in the Terzts of Kjdar\ or fuffer my roving Tiioughts to run in chace of Imaginary Delufions^ which if obtained, augment my Cares^ inlarge my fears ^ and increale my Sorrows? Then whoever may ^auni^ it out for a while, and fkdfe themfelves with a kind oifecret ComfUcencj^ that they are fomewhat more wtfe^ 2ivAfagaciouSy than the Children of Light ; I lliall account my felf a Greater Rolttician^ than any of them all, if but by any means I may relmquijh 2l fm^ ful Courfe^ and with a difdainful Eye refufe the feeming Bubbles that flow on the top of this Temfejiuous Sea of a Troublefome Life^ and gain the glorious Prize laid up in ftore for me, and all thofe noble Champions^ who thro' Faith and Pa- tience fail'd thro' the Turbulent Storms of rail- ing Calumnies and outragious Perfecutions. Then take your fill, ye Senfelefs Ones^ of ye know not what vanijhing jhadows ; for my part, I fee fo little Content in the eager purfuit of the full baggs of yellow Drofsy that were there no future State to reward the Vertuous^ yet I would continue to fteer on in the filent Channel- oi Jelf Denial^ and aim at nothing more, than what would defray my necejfary Exfe?2ces to the end of a fjort Voyage: By that means I fhould follow th^ f age Advice of a refined Politi- cian^ who once faid, Let greedy PerfonSy and idle C 5 3 idle BrawSy dijlurh their inward peace and tran- quillity of Mind^^ by immerfmg themfelves in fhoals of Trouble/ y by a too eager furfuit after the Jlippery Baits of iVordly Wealth ; / fljall think my Jelf a fortunate Man^ if I can but grafp enough to main-- tain a crazy . Body in its courfe to Eternity ^ and at lajl leave a neceffary Provi[ion to Pofierityy when I amjleeping in the lap of Oblivion ; jhall I endanger the falvation of my Soul^ the healthful conjlitution cf my Body, and the peace of my Mindy for thofe f^rifbing Things I mufl of nece/fity relinquijb^ $vhen grtm Death comes to mow me down^ andfum- mons me to give i^n accotmt of my Steward[hip ? jilas ! continu'd he, / only carne into this World to take a few turns around the winding Labyrinth ^God^s Creation J and then^ as it were an un- fettled Traveller in an Inn^ mufl be gone^ and fee it no more. If this be the Judgment of the wife ^nd faga- ciousy why fhould I raife up a mafs of Treafure, at the infinite hazard of my immortal Soul^ for I know not who to enjoy? for fuppofe my Sons are Extravagant^ or my Daughters vain^ then my Superabundance will only increafe the Flame of their wicked Defires^ like flreams of Oil thrown on an outragious Fire^ and thereby advance its fury far above its ufual heigh;, and indanger the delicate Fabrick of a wife Mafter* Builder ; On the contrary, if my Heirs ^vcfober^ and diligent J what need have I to leave them abundance^ which may tempt their Vertue^ and B J allure [6] allure their Chajlity^ fince kind Heaven has promisM to have di particular regard to their Well- being here, and eternal Haffinefs hereafter. Then why fliould I, who am Heir apparent to the new "Jerufalem^ ftrive for thofe worthlefs ToySy which may be fitly compar'd to the fair Apples of Sodomy that are no fooner touched, but moulder away to Dufi^ and leave a poifonous fiench in the Noftrils of thofe that gather them. What, in God's Name, means all this carking^ and caring \ cheat wg^ and coz>ening\ cully ingy and 'Purloymng'^ Runnings and Riding \ Sailings Venturing^ Aoife^ and Hurry \ Confufion^ and Clamour \ Trafficking and Bart ering^ pulling down^ and enlarging^ Fawning^ and Cringings Flatter- ing^ and cogging ? Since all is nothing but De- lufions. Dreams, and Shadows ; Vanities, Smoak, and Vapours, that foon difappear, as an hoary Mijly or a trickling Derv, Then whoever may afpire to the attainment of thefe outward empty ShervSy and harrafs both Soul and Body in hunting after fuch transitory InjoymentSj Til learn the Di'uine Art of Merchan- dizing and Trafficking for a hleffed Eternity^ tho' it be at the Expence of all that is near and dear to me in this prefmt State, O how am I rapt up with the thoughts of a vaft Return^ for all my midnight -Cries^ and early Prayers^ Noon- Moans^ and Evening-Tear Sy that are gone up to Heaven, as a Venture of my unblameable Life to the remote Glory of the Lord God "^ehovah^ who C7] who will not fail to come in due time, and receive me as a noble Adventurer for his Ever- hjling Kjngdom. To conclude, how much dearer ought thofe blifsful Manftons be to me than all the pdtry Traffick here on Earth ? Come away, ye Believing Pilgrims y why lagg ye ftill behind ? Come edter the Vineyard ot good Worksy and there fpend your remaining Days in the Ser- vice of a dear "Jefus^ who will certainly pay you the faithful Penny at laft, which is of ten thoufaad times more value^ than all the droffy Oar^ fo much admirM by filly grovelling Mor^ tals ; for his favour is better than Life^ and his Kjngdom far beyond Rubies^ and precious Stones. Let others acl as they think fit, do you meekly call to the Almighty Donour of all folid and fpiritual Gifts in the Words of pious Hagur^ That he would vouchfafe to give you neither Poverty nor Riches ^ but feed you with Food con- venient. CHAP. IL rhe "Birth of Chriji. I Shall not here make a fine Harangue in com^% mendation of any Mortal Prince^ but prefent' you with an Elaborate Difcourfe^ fetting forth the Noble Praife of the fecond Perfon in the B 4 ever [8 ] i-ver hlejjed Trmity : Therefore liafte away with me, all ye that profefe the Chrifiim Religion^ by owning the Merits of a Crucify d Jefm ; for I am now going to found a Retreat from Worldly Vani* tiesy and retire to Bethlehem^ where Chrijl the Sa^ wiour \^ as born, in order to take a view of fe- veral Scenes of his Life, and of his Trmmphmt Jfcen[ion into Glory. Are any of you intoxi- cated with the love of y?;?/^/r/Z>^^//>^//, that you cannot raife your affections of Joy or Grief to an equal height witii mine ? However I would fain prevail with you to come, if it be only for a while to tarte of an Heavenly Joy^ whilft my Tongue is founding forth the Love of my Great Redeemer^ and to humour a mien of ^toick Gra- vity, whilft my Soul is overwi, IraM with Son-- rowy in beholding his bitter Agonies and Suffer- ings ; fince it }^ reafonable to believe, that when I have drawn a few of thofe various Scenes of the Love and Tragical Pajjion of our Dear Jfledeemer, every different Aft will be an ef- ^Sual means to charm you into the fweet Im- braces of True Religion, and even make you cry out, My Lord and my God^ lam fomedmes fwallowed up, blefled Jefu! in a rapturous flight of Ecjlatick Joy^ when I hear of thy Tranfcendent Love to the Children of Men, and as fenfibly afflifled with Gr^ef when I read of thy cruel Sufferings on that accurfed Tree ! Thefe Lines affeft me morCjthan all the vanifhing^ Jhadorvs of a Jenfual Mirth^ or mournful fighs ot Worldly Scrrcjv ; fince every Page will he fillM with C9] \|/ith the Ardent Jffectiom of my pallionate Soul, inflam'd with the Zeal of Seraphick Love^ not much inferiour to that of the Rojal Frophety who ebb'd and flow'd with "Joy and Griefs much Uke the puding Rivers, that raife and fink their gltdmg Streams^ according to the diredion of our Heavenly Father's Almighty Fiat ; fo that, to the utmoft extent of my frail Ability, I'll here tranfmit to fucceeding Ages the myfieri* ous Records of the mighty Power of God made Man. No fooner had our firft Parents forfeited their Title to Eternd Happimfsy by Eating the for- hidden Fruity but a Council of the bleffed Trinity was calPd in the higheft Heavens, to confult the Redemption of fall' n Man^ where it was una- nimoufly agreed, Nemine Contradicente^ That the fecond Per/on of the Glorious Godhead fliould in the fulnefs of Time defcend from thofe hUfsful Manfwns^ and be born of a pure Virgin ; fo as to be offer'd up as a Propitiatory Sacrifice for th(|^ crying Sins of lapfed Mankind ^ as it evidently aj^ pears from what we read in Gen. 5-15. That the feed of the woman fljould break the ferpent^s head. And for a farther Confr^nation of our Faith^ God reveaPd the coming of the Me/lias to the Patriarchs and Prophets^ many Centuries of Years before his perjonal Appearance upon Earth ; particularly to faithful Abraham^ that out of his Loiiis the Mejjias fhould proceed ; and afterward "^acob was infoim'd out of what Tribe of the %mfb Nation Chrift Ihould come, which tha^ bleffed C lo] bleffed Patriarch plainly foretold, when he lay on his Dying-Bed, in thefe Words, ^iz. That the Scepter [bould not depart from Judah, nor a Law* giver from between his feet ^ till Shilo come. The Almighty in like manner declared his Will to Mofes^ who told the Children of Ifrael^ That GodrvouU raife up a Prophet of their Brethren^ like unto him ; and that unto him jhould they hear- ken. Neither were the "Jemfh Ceremonies^ from time to time, any other than Types and Figures of this Immaculate hamb\ as that of the Brazen Serpent^ the Scape-Goat^ &c. As the time of his Birth drew nearer, the Prophets had a more lively, and diftinfl: knowledge of what foould happen during the time that was decreed tor his pur chafing our Redemption : For the Royal Prophet David foretels his Sufferings^ and Glorious Re* furreBion\ with refped to his Death, that it fhould be hy piercing his^Hands and Feet ; and in Pfal. J 6. lo. he Ipeaks of his Refurreclion in thefe Words, For thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hellj neither wilt thou fufjer thine holy one to fee corruption. And of hts Afcenfion^ Pfal. 68. i8. Thou hafl Afcended up on high^ thou hafi led Captivity captive. Likewife the Prophet Ifaiah deicr:bes the manner of his Birth, That he was to be born of a Virgin^ and his Name to be call'd Emanuel^ at the lame time fetting forth his In- comparable Graces^ San^iity^ and fit Qualifications JTor the performance of his Office ; the Entertain- ment he was like to meet with in the World, with [ II ] with the Nature and Signs of thofe Cruel Suf ferings he was to endure. The Place of our S.tviour'^s Nativitj was fore- told hyMicah 5. 2. Bethlehem of Ephrata^ the leajl of the Cities of Judah, btit honoured dove the rejlj by the birth of a Prince^ who was to be Ruler in Ifrael, whofe goings forth had been from ever^ lafiing. Again the Prophet Daniel fixes the ex- afttime, affirming, That the il^/^^^i- fhould ap- pear in the World, and be cut off ^ as a Sacrifice for the expiation of the fins of trje people^ at the expiration of 70 PropheticalWeeks^ or 490 Years which accordingly came to pafs : All which Ocl currences fairly lead me, as it were by the hand, to the firft thing proposed, which is a par- ticular Account of the Birth qj Chrijl, Draw near with me all ye Nations of the World, and behold the Blejfed Infant^ with the fame intention of Spirit, as if you really faw him with your bodily Eyes \ and in fo doing, you 11 bear an equal part of joy and grief with me. But if any refufe a ready compliance to fo reafor nable a Demand, they'll foon draw fuch a vail of Sorrow over my pure AjfFedlions, as will make me figh, mourn, and weep with true Penitent, tial Tears ; upon refleding that I fliould be fq unhappy, as to treat of lUch an Excellent Subi jecl in a Chrijlian Nation^ and not difcern a fui* table Veneration paid to the Son of God. If there be any fuch impious fVretches ^ktmQ affure them,That it will be much more tolerable in the day of ludg^ ment for thofe hard-hearted ^ews^ who inhuman^ C 12 ] ly imbruM their Hands in the innocent Blood of that Jefasy whom we now behold thro' the YerfptcHve Glafs of Faith ; fince thofe vile Mif- creants were not fo happy as to believe in the blcffed MeffiAs^ but on the contrary were in- jftrufted by their Priefts and Rabbles, not to acknowledge him to be , the Son of God, or own his Miracles, as fufficientlj efficacious to purchafe their Salvation ; as being born in Obfcurity^ with- out any Worldly Splendour ^ or fomfous Jherv of Greatnefs. lliefe things, I fay, may be brought as a ftrong Argument, why they Crucify'^ d the Lord of Life \ nay, there is yet more to te faid for the Exte- vUating their Crimes ; for after the Sufferings of this ftlm-, many of them repented of what they had done, and declared him a "Prophet fent by God: But as for you that bear the Badge of his Proieflicn, and pretend to believe there is no other Name whereby j(y// can be fav'*dy but that of ^jefm^ and yet obitinately refuje to comply with my humble Requeft, to Rejoyce and Mourn with me ; it is an evident Sign^ that you only coun- terfeit the Charatler of a Chriflian^ and are in truth no more fo than a ?agan that never heard of his Birth and Suferings. Therefore may I entreat you by all that is dear to you, either to ^- bandon your holy ?rofeJfion^2sA to turn Turk ovjetv^ or elfe to draw near with me to behold God mani^ fefied in the fUfo ; for this is that Great Mefftas that kit his Fatiicr's Kingdom of Glory, in the fe- venth Age of the "Worlds and was horn in Beth* khsm C ij3 khm of Judea^ in the days of Herod the l^mgj Match. 2. I. Oh! then alTent with me in finging Pratfes to this New-born Child^ with loud AccUmati* ons of Joy : Oh ! come^ let us fend up our Tha/^ks- givmg beyond the Sphere of ufual Fraife, and let our melodious Strains join the Heavenly Choir^ for his unlimited Love to the Sons of Men, who lay as utterly loft and undone for ever. Oh ! Lamb of Gody Son of the Father^ how are *all my Affeciions rais'd above the gilded (hadows of fenfual Joys, and fix'd on thee my Sove* raign Lardy whofe boundlefs Mercy has vtfcud Mankind from endlefs pains! Therefore with Angel Sy Arch' Angels y and all the Hofi of Hea^ veny I'll adore the remembrance of thy Nati- vityy and fay, Glory be to God in the htghefly on earth pacey good will towards 7nen. Praife the Lord, O my Soul ! who has with« drawn thy wandring Defires from tfie fleeting /hades of Senfe, and fix the Center of rhy Joys on the miraculous Birth of the Holy Jtfm. Was ever Miracle like to this, that God jhould become a Many to redeem the Works of his o\v^n Crea- tion ! Therefore I'll treble my refounding Prai- feSy in honour of this New-Born Babcy and iranf- mit his Fame to tta thoufand Generations, by continually imitating thofe glorify 'd Saints abovt, in warbling forth Hallelujah ^HalULijahy Hallelujah to the Almighty Goda.nd Loruof Heaven and Earth, for his condejcending Love to Man : HJlelujahy Hallelujahy be for ever chanted forth to the Sa- viour [ H 3 njiour of the ' World^ who was incarnated, and took upon him the Humane Nature : Ha/le/ujah^ Hallelujah^ be Sung to the Holy Spirit for his Affent, that Chrill fhould dejcend on Earth:, may everlafting Glory be afcrib'd to Father^ Sony and Holy Ghofiy tor fuch a mighty work of Wonder, as that the fecond Per/on in the My- fterious Trinity fliould be brought forth from a Virgin's Womb, and become a perfeft Man in all things J fin only excepted. Then may that Day, on which the Son of God became the Son of Man^ be had in ever- lajHng remembrance by all the Eledl Children of the moll High ; may it be for ever fet a-part as a yearly "Jubilee^ wherein I may celebrate with my moft exalted Admirations his Jiupendlous Love to the Pofterity of my firft Parents : May the Stars, that twinkPd at the break of that blef- fed Morn exceed in brightnefs all others, that fo curiouliy befpangled the lofty Sky, fo as never to be darkened by any gathering Clouds : May that Planety which was Afcendant when the Mcffias was born, never appear above the Ho- rizon when any bloody Tjr^;^^ breaks thro' the firong bars of his Mother's Womb ; and at leafl: let ic be fuperior to the whole Tribe of noble Rulers \ may that Sun which peep'd out of the Cafements of the Eaft, and gilded the topps of the higheft Mountains with glittering beams of Light on that glorious Morn^ when Chrijft made his publick entrance on the Great Work of MarPs Salvation^ never be fully 'd o'er by any Mift, [ IS ] Mift, till turn'd into blood by the unalterable Decree of Heaven. May the Clock^ that ftruck that happy Hour when the MeJJias made his pajfage into this Sulf^ lumry World^ awaken the unbelieving 'Jex^s by its tinkling Feals from thQ fatal Lethargy of Car-^ nal fecuYity : May that Moment^ when the Lord brake his way thro' the upper Regions to abide a while on Earth, be recorded in the perpetual Annals of every ChrifiiarPs Life : Let it be diftin- guifli'd from all other Minutes joyn'd to the fleeting Hours : May the Mother of that Blejfed Babe be proclaimed as the Soveraign Queen over all the I'emale Sex^ and be renowned for her Virgin- Modefiy to the end of the World : May that Tongue^ wliich lirft founded the joyful NewSy that the Efpoufed Wife of Jofeph was deliver'^d of a Son^ be one day renewM, as the Fhoenix out of it^s own Allies, to fing Hallelujah^ Hallelujah^ in the higheft Itrains of Eloquence, for ten thou- fand times ten thoufand Ages in the Heavenly Choir above. May thofe Hand-maids (if any) that afliited at the Birth of Chriji^ or vifited the Blejfed Virgin^ fhine with a brighter luftrc in the Orbs above^ than fuch as ufually attend at the birth of a Mortal Prince : May thofe Jrmsy which firft received that Immaculate Lamb from the Bofom of the Blejfed Firgin^h^vo a noble Scepter to fill their hands, not fuch a one as every Child of God will receive in token of Viftory over the Prince of the Airy but one little inferiour to that oiMofes^ who prophetically declared th^ coming of [i6] cf the Lordy long before his Appearance in tfic Flefh. May that Perfo/^ who wrapM the Saviour o? the World in Swadlmg-Cloaths^ to prefervc his tender Body from the cold blafts of a Winter- Seafon, be arrayed m tht Heavenly Manfions with far more glittering Robes of State, than the Queen of Sheba wore, when fhe came from a far Country to hear the Wifdom of Solomon^ and fee his magnificent Glory^ which feem'd to fparkle in her gazing Eyes as the twinlding Stars 2 May thofe Fingers^ which fpun the thread of that Mantle^ which was thrown over the Lord (?/^ L//^,as a necelfary Garment ^ receive a Well-tu- ned Harp in the Manfwni of Glory y to refound an Eternal Hallelujah of Thankfgiving to Ever* lafling Ages ; not fuch an one as the Royai Pfalmifi playM on, when he was led into Capti^ vity m 2ijtrange Land-^ but one whofe founding Strings will never ceafe to ftrike harmonious ftrains of Joy to this A^ew-horn Prince^ the Sa- njiour of the World : May that Manger ^ where- in the Lord lay, be more in the memory of every Chriflian, thcin tho gawdy Cradley wherein ^/^a- ander the Great was rock'd in his Infancy.To con- clude, may all the Solemnities of that Day be engrav'd on large Pillars of Marble^ fo as to re- main in lively Charafters 'till our Lord's fecond coming in the Clouds^ with a far more noble Train of fplendid Glory. Then come, and accompany me in a regular order, all yc mighty Works of the Lord, and be aJionijh'*d C 17 ] aftonifli'd at this his wonderful Birth. I fay, come all ye Angels^ that continually furround the Imperial Throne of Chrift, and readily obey his Holy will, Draw mar mth JJlonijbmenty and behold this profound My fiery of a, God made Man. Attend, ye Cherubim s and Seraphims^ that incelfantly cry, " Hallelujah^ Hallelujah^ "Great, and Infinite, Holy, Holy, Durable, " and Eternal ; Hallelujah^ Hallelujah^ fix'd and " unchangeable, Holy, Holy,Wife and Powerful ; ^^ Hallelujah^ Hallelujah^ Righteous and Juft, " Holy, Holy, Excellent, and Good ; Hallelujah^ ^^ Hallelujah y Faithful and True, Holy, Holy, ^^ Incomprehenfible and Perfeft; Hallelujah^ " Hallelujah ; all Power and Dominion, Adora- " tion and Praife, be afcribed to God Omnipo- "tent, during a ftream of Time that ftill glides " on, but never runs out, or centers in any End \ Draw near with deep Veneration^ and behold this profound Myfiery of a God made Man. Attend ye Prophets^ Jpojiles^ Martyrs^ and ConfefforSy that yield obedience to the known Statutes of Heav'n, and everlaftingly acknowledge the In- finite Majefly of his Honourable^ True^ and only Sony and the Divine Spirit the Comforter ; Draw near with Aflonifhment^ and behold this pro- found Myfiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye that afTent to the truth of the glo- rious Gofpel, and agree in the ConfeJJion oi an Orthodox Faith, Draw near wtth reverential awe^ and behold this profound Myfiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye Heavens and all the Waters, C that [ i8 ] that are above the gathering Clouds; Draw near with AJlonijhmentj and behold this profound My fiery of a God made Man, Attend, bright Lu- minary of the Superiour Orbs, which comefi forth in the Morn of every Day to run thy wont- ed Race^ as a Giant refreflpd with Wine^ tov/ards the Weftern Hills ; Draw near with Afionijhment^ and behold this profound My fiery of a God made Man. Attend, thowPalefac'd Moon^ thatfhineft with a modeft Light, tho' in the higheft Z^nith^ and in a full Body, Draw near with Afiomfljmentj and behold the profound Myfiery of a God made Man. Attend, yQ glittering Stars^thsLthcfy^nglo the lofty Firmament with your fparkling Light s, and ferve to guide the Mariners to their appoint- ed Haven, Draw near with AfioniJJjment^ and behold this profound Myfiery of ^ God made Man. Attend, ye hafiy Showers^ that defcend in pearl- ed drops to refrefh tlie budding Flowers^ e're they difplay their lovely Colours, or fragrant Smeflsj Draw near with Jfionifbmenty and behold thi^ pro- found Myfiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye early Dews^ that enliven the Flowry Meads with your orient Drops, before the early Lark arifes to fing frveet Matins to its daily Benefaflior, Draw near with AfionijbmeiU^ and behold this profound Myfiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye frejh -Galesy that rage and blow with your bluftenng Storms^ becaufe a fmall Cloud appears on the Southern SJiore, and will not be iliird, 'till allay'd by its weeping TeaJ's ; Drm near with Afioniflj- [ 19 ] JJlomJhment^ and behold this profound Myjlery of a God made Man, Attend, ye long and tedious Nights^ that give a faint Idea ot thofe dark and gloomy Shades^ where wretched Souls incef- fantlj moan^ to the cndlefs duration of Eternity; Draw near rvith AJloni^hment^ and behold this fro- found My fiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye Days that difperfe the Night-Shades with your Bright Beams of Light ^ and make the Righteotis wim for that Eternal Day which never fets in any obfcurity ; Draw near with Jfonijhmenty and behold this profound Myjlery of a God made Man, Attend, ye white Frofls^ that enamel the Plains with your hoary Mifls^ and caufe the Head of every young Tree to . hang as it were with Gray Hairs ; as if no moifture remained in their newly ingrafted Roots, Draw near with Jftonijh- ment^ and behold this profound Myjlery of a God made Man. Attend, ye Storms of Snow^ which cover the Fields of Corn with fleeting Flakes^ as a Downy Bed to ward off the Northern Blafts ; Draw near with JJlonijhment^ and behold this pro- found Myjlery of a God made Man. Attend, ye fery Flafhes of fearful Lightning, that often fur- prize the fecure Sinner in his lewd Embraces of Folly ) Draw near -with JfloniJJjjnent^ and behold this profound Myjlery of a God made Man. At- tend, ye rattling Peals of terrible Thunder^ whofe repeated Claps are fo Dreadful^ as to caufe the Atheill: to endeavour to hide himfelf from the judgment of that God, whofe Being not long C 2 fince [ 20 ] fince he fo infolently deny'd ; JDram near with AJlonijfjment^ and behold this profound My fiery of A God made M An. Attend, ye Mountains and Hills^ that doubt- lefs receivM your Rife and Names in that Age, when the Almighty villted the Earth with a ftrange overfiowing Deluge for fuch foul Sins as now reign in the British Iflie; Draw near with Afionifhment^ and behold this profound My fiery of ^ God made Man. Attend, thou Rain-bow that art fix'd in the Clouds, as a token of God^s Co- njenant with the Children of Men, not to de- ftroy the World again by a mighty Flood \ Draw near with Afionijhmentj and behold this ^profound Myfipry of a God made Man. Attend, ye turbu- lent Billows of the vaft (3cean, that are confinM in the deep Caverns of the Great Jehovahh Trea- fury, and are not able to pafs beyond his De- crees; Draw near with Afionifi)ment^ and behold this profound My fiery of a God made Man, At- tend, ye watery Inhabitants^ who take your daily repaft in the Unfathomable Sea^ and Swim like the Great Leviathan^ that Rules, as an Im- ferial Monarchy in thofe fpacious Territories of • unknown Extent ; Draw near with Jfionifjment^ and behold this profound My fiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye bubbling Springjj whofe Cryffal Waters rife out of the Bowels of the Earthy to quench th^ thirft of the Beafts of the Foreft with your purling Streams^ that glide down the Hills with a perpetual Motion; Draw near with Afioniffj- [ 21 ] ^Jlomfljmenty md behold this frofound Myftery of a God made Man. Attend ye numerous flights Qi voinged- Quirtfiers^ that warble forth your fretty Notes in the higheft ftrains of Joy, to him that feeds your Toung by a providential Care ; Draw near with Afionifhment^ and behold this profound Myflery of a God mads Mam. At- tend, ye Cedars of Lebanon^ whofe fpreading Leaves overfhadow the wearied Pilgrims in their progrefs to the New "Jerufalem ; Draw near mth JflonijJjmenty and behold this profound Mynery of a God made Man. Attend, yet timorous Flocks of Sheep, and Droves of harmlefs Lambs, whofe innocent Bleats^ and pretty Bafs ferve to remind Man of the Pafchal Lamb^ which was oflFerM up as a Sacrifice for the Sins of many ; Draw near with AJionifhment^ and behold this ^ro* found Myftery of a God made Man, Attend, ye Herds of nimble Deer^ that skip as the pleafant Roes on the Tops of the Moun- tains round the dehghtful Parks, and refrefh your tired Limbs under the fpreading Syca- mores, and Royal Oaks \ Draw near with Jflonijh- ment^and behold this profound Myflery of a God made Man.AtttndjYt Cattelon aThoufand Hi&,thatan- fwer the End of your wife Creator^ in being uft- ful for the fervice of Man, obeying his Commands by a kind of natural Inftind ; Draw near with Jfonijhmenty and behold this profound Myftery of a God made Man. Attend, yQ nimble Hares and fubtil Foxes ^ whofe Wifdom far exceeds the Policy of prophane Libertines, in retreating C 3 M^hen C 22] when purfuM, and hiding when alTaulted; Draw near with Ajlonifljment^ and. behold this fro- found Myfiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye wife AntSy whofe conftant Induflry expofes the Sluggard to open Shame, by providing ftore in Summer to fupply your wants in time of Dearth ; Draw near with Afloniftoment^ and behold this profound My fiery of a God made Man. Attend, -^jz delightful Springs of every Year, that difcover to faithiefs Man the AlTurance of a Refurreciion^y forcing out as it were a new Crea- tion of Greens from the bare Branches of every Hedge, Bufli, and Tree ; Draw near with Aflo- mjhmentj and behold the profound Myflery of a God made Man.' Attend, ye ingrafted Branches^ whofe tender plants produce more fruits in the fmall fpace dionejearyX\)3Si Ten thoufand Sinners in a long Age J tho' perhaps they were well planted in the rich Soil of fwus Education ; Draw near with Aftonifhmenty and behold the profound My- fiery of a God ?nade Man, Attend, ye numerous Trees of Trefl:> RofeSj whofe fragrant Flowers fhoot forth from the clefts of your fcoUopt Hoods, in the delightflil Morns of "^une^ before Vain Man^ who bears the Image of his Maker^ has awak'd his drowfy Thoughts, or fung an Hymn of fraife for the Mercies of a pafl: Night ; Draw neaV with Aftoniflmient ^ and behold this pro- found My fiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye Beds of Sweet Carnations y that dif- play your various Colours, and breath up your Sweet Perfufnes towards thofe Clouds that he^ den^d [ 2J ] ^- dew^d your enamePdLeaves with trickling drops of an ear/j Derv^ e're carelefs Drones can view from whence their Mercies come ; Draw near with A- flonifljment^ and behold this profound My fiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye Tall Sun-flowers^ that raife up your drooping Heads, and chearfully fliew your natural Face without a modeft Blufh, when that bright Lamp of Heaven dif- plays its gilded Beams on your golden features ; which Emblem may filentiy reprove many Lu- . ciferian Jmps^ who are afham'd to appear in the Houfe of Prayer without an artificial Face, yet cannot diflil a Tear for- a Soul ftain'd with Sin ; Draw near with Aftonifbmenty and behold this profound My fiery of a God made Man. Attend, ye numerous Rows of Peony'' s^ that ftand as it were in Battel-array, like an Army cloatPd in Red^ but more gorgeoufly array'd, than all the Troops o( bloudy Tyramsy that dragoon their Chnfiian Subjects with horrid Cruelty, who bear it all for the fake of a Crucify'd Jefus, and a fteady Faith; Draw near with Aftomfljment^ and behold this profound Myfiery of a God mads. Man. Attend, ye Grains of various Seeds^ that now lye mouldring in the V/omb of the Earth, but will e're long fprout forth ^ and appear in a Charm- ing Lufire^ which may be fitly compared to the confuming Bodies oitht RtghteoS^s^ that have lairl undifcover'din the Earth for many Centuries 'of yearSjbut will t^i'dongpeep forth out of the Clefts thereof with Ten thoufmd times more Brightnefsy C A than C 24 ] than all the ^arvdy Ornaments^ or rich Att'trs of Phantajlick Sinners^ arrayM in their glitter- ing Robes of State ; Draw near with Ajlomlbment^ and behold this profound Mjjterj of a God made Man. Attend, ye material and immaterial Beings^ whether in Heaven or Earth, with all the Powers and Things therein, and be aJlomjFd at this profound Mjjlery of a God made Man, Not becaule 'tis a Myjlerj^ that cannot be comprehend- ed by Angels y nor Men; But on account of God^s unlimited Love to falPn Man. Be ajlomf^^d^ not as if it were too great for Omnipotence to effect ; but, becaufe the Almighty Power de- creed it lb, to bruife the Serpent"* s Head. Be aflo- nijh'^dynot as if that wonderful Incarnation of the Son of God were not decreed long before the Worlds were framM ; but becaufe the Redemption of Man was purposM by the Trinity, when as he lay conceaPd in his primitive Nothing. Be aftonifhM, not as iiChrifl were conceivM in the Womb of the blejfed Virgin^ as to his real Godhead) but be- caufe he only pafs'd thro' thofe dark Chambers as to his real Manhood. Be aftonifh'd, not as if the Manifejlation of the Son of God in the flejh confounded the Trinity in Vnity^ or feparated thePerfons to divide their Subjiance ; but becaufe the Godhead of the Son remains equal with that of the Father y and the holy was, is, and ever fliall be. Be aftonifh'd, not as if the Son were created^ becaufe he was born of a woman \ but becaufe he was equally uncreated with the Father^ and the Holy Ghojlj and yet came down from Heaven to appear on the behalf of guilty Men. Be aftonifli'd| not as if the Se* cond Perfon in the Trinity were not as incompre^ henfible^ from the time of his appearance in the Flefli to the day of his Afcenfion on High, as be- fore or after; but, becaufe Chrift was as in-- cornprehenfible^ during the time of his Stay on Earthy as if he had never defended from the up- per Regions. Be aftonifh'd, not as if the Son of God\Ntxt not Eternal^ becaufe he left the Habita- tions of his Father"* s Glory ^ and hv'd as a mortal Man'^ but becaufe he ever rvas^ is^ and will be Eternal as is the Father^ and as is the Holy Ghofly notwithftanding his Defcent into Hell. Be aftonifhM, not as if the Son were not Almighty ^ becaufe lie was conceived of the Holy Ghojl ; but becaufe he remains equally Almighty in his Power and^lfencc, as the Firfi and Third Perfons in the Trinity, ev'n during that time he iiv'd as Man, as well as before or after. Be aftonifh'd, not as if Jefus were not Gody becaufe he once Iiv'd as Man ; but becaufe he remai?Pd Gody equal with the Father and the Holy Ghofl^ altho' he was Mediator between God and Man- Be alloniOi'd, not as if the Meffias had ceas'd I 26-] ccasM from being Lardy the lame with his Faher and the Holy Spirit ; but becaufe he ez'er was, is., and ever will be Lord of Heav'n and Earth, e^ual with God the Father ^ and the Holy Ghofij notwithftanding his being delivered up by God as a Saviour for Man. Be aftonifh'd, not as if he were lefs in glory than the Father ^ and the Faraclety on account of his Descending from the Throne of Glory, aid converfing with frail Man- kind ; but becaufe he remains xh^fame in greatnefs with the Father J and the Holy Ghoji^ as if the three Perfons in the Trinity had ajfumed Humane Nature equally one with the other. Be aftonifli'd, not as if the Second Perfon in the Trinity were di- vided from the reft on account of his Incarnation ; but becaufe he ever was^ . and ever will be one of the undivided Three^ coeternal and coequal, not- withftanding his being conceiv'^d of the Holy Ghofl. Be aftonijQi'd, not as if the Son were not to b^ worfljip'^d in as reverend and humble manner, as the Father and the Holy Ghojl^ becaufe of his Humiliation ; but becaufe he muft be ferv'^d and ador'*d with the fame honour as the Father^ and the Holy Gbojl^ tho' he was Man as well as God. Be aftonifliM, not as if our Lord Jefus were not God and Man \ but becaufe he was God of the Suhftance of the Father^ begotten from Eternity ; and Man of the Sub fiance of his Mother ^ born in the World,re^/ God and real Man ; equal to the Father as touching his Godhead, but inferiour as touch- ing his Manhood. Be aftonifh'd, not as if Chrift were Two Perfons, becaufe he is God and Man ; but becaufe C 27 ] bccaufe he Is but one Chrijf^ and yet God and Man ; one, not by Converfion of the Godhead into Flelli, but by taking of the Manhood into God ; one altogether not by confufion of Sub- ftance, but by unity of Perfon ; for as the rea- fonable Soul and Flelh is one Man, fo God and Man is one Chrift. Oh ! then,attend ye Heavens and Earth, and be aftonifh'd at this profound Incomprehenfible Myfteryy God made Mm^ who freely offer'd himfelf up as a Rmfom for falPn Man, and yet remains both Perfe^ God and Perfeci^ Man. Admire this mighty JVork^ not with any miftruft of Unbelief, but with a ftedfaft Faith, That altho' it be a Mjjiery far furpaffing the weak Conceptions^ of fnite Creatures^ yet it was a thing eafie for Om- nipotence^ and the moft effectual Means to accom- pUfh Man^s Redemption. Therefore, let every thing that receives its Being from God, adore this wonderful Birth of the Lord "Jefm Chrifi^ the Son of the living Father, and fecond Perfon in the ever Bleffed Trinity. Oh hlefs ye the Lord^ Praife him^ and Magnifie him^ with the mojl ex- alted Thankfgivingy to the inpnite Ages of an end- lefs Eternity \ CHAP. [28] CHAP. III. The Circumcifion of Chrift. When eight days were accomplijh^d for the Circumcifion of the Child, his Name was called JefuSy which was fo named of the Angela before he was conceived in the Womh^ Luke 2. 12. • DRaw near all ye that fubfcribe by an Or- thodox Faithy to the wonderful Birth of Chrift, and behold him who is now Circumcised for you, and own him as your God^ as well as your Saviour ; for he is your Gody altho' he owns himfelf to be your Redeemer. Come, defer not to pay your Tribute, but do as did the JVife Me^y who were guided by an Eaftern Star to come and Worjhip this Immaculate Lamb : for when they came into the Houfe^ and farv the Toung Child ivith Mary his Mother ^ they fell down and nwrjhipped him^ and when they had ofen^d their Treafury^ they Prejented to him GiftSj Gold^ Frank- incenfe^ and Myrrh. Matth. 2. 11. Where then is the Man, and what is his Name, that dares call himfelf a true Believer^ and will not lay all his Crimes afide,. and at- tend with me, to afcribe all Honour and Powers Mighty Majefyy and Dominion to the young 'Je- fus? [ 29] fus7 If any fuch there be, convey them hither, that I may expoftulate the cafe with them, in fome fuch Language as this. Oh perfidious Wr^etches ! can ye, that freely acknowledge the B^nh and Ctrcumcifwn of the Lord Jefeis Chrijiy refufe with Reverence to behold God fo won- derfully Circumcised^ after the manner of a frail Man ! Bemoan your felves, and lament your mi- ferahle Efiate ) for much better it would have been for you, if the Doors of your Mother's Womb had fhut you up in perpetual Darknefsj and you had never kQn the dawn of this Day, 6h! weep with ftreams of Tears, and throb with bitter Cries, that ever you fhq|ld hear the joyful News founded forth, that C^rifi is Born and Circumcised^ and yet you'll ftill remain fuch ftrangers to Regeneration^ as not to attend the Child Jefus with the Gifts of an holy Converfation. Oh gtieve inceflantly ! bewail with Sighs, Sobs, and Groaqs, to think that you fhould bear the Standard-mark of the Chrijlian Name^ and not prefent your Souls, Bodies, and Spirits, as a r^^- fonMe }^acrifce at the Feet of Jeji^s^ and there wait till the Criminal Superfluities of your Souls are pairM off by a New Circumcijion of He^rt. Delay not, left Death approach, when it will be too late to attend at the Circumcijion of this new*^ hrr^ Jefus. CHAR C 30 ] CHAP. IV. The ^treat of Chrift and his Mother into Egypt. iBehold^ the Angel of the Lord appeared to Jo- feph in a Dream^ faying^ Arife^ and take the young Child, and his Mother^ and flee into Egypt, and he thou there untill I hring thee word'j for Herdd the f^ng will fee k^ the young Child to deftroy him. Then he arofe^ and took^ the pung Child and his Mother by Nighty and departed into Egypt : And was there untill the Death of Herod, that it might he fulfilled which was fpoken of the. Lord by the Prophet ^ f<^y^^% Q^^ of Egypt .^^V^ I called my Son, Matth. 2. 13, 14, 15. NOW the Scene is changM, and all our Joys for the Birth and Circumcifwn of Chriji are clouded with Stor?ns of Sorrow^ and Floods of Tearsy therefore haifte away with me ; for the Chi/d Jefu^s muft be attended with Grief into the Egyfttm Land, not becaufe 1^ is going to avoid the wrath of Herod the King, but be- caufe a Qodmade Man is forcM to flee the wrath of C Ji ] of a fmful Mortal ; not for any offence commit- ted by him, but for the flagrant Sins of vain Tranigreffours ; not to Suffer as if he had Tranf- grejfed humane LawSy but becaufe the Iniqidties of our firjl Pareyits were the occafion of this his fiient Retreat ; oh! then give ear to the moan I make to Heaven, in beholding Jofeph fecret- ly conveying the Child 'Jeffi^ away by Night into a ftrange Land^ to efcape the fury of an mraged Tyrant ^ who can by no means obtain Salvation^ but in and thro' the Merits of this hleffed Babe. Oh mourn, my Soul ! oh mourn my Soul ! to think that the Eternal Son of the Ever-living God fliould be Born of a Woman, lye in a Man- ger, and be Circumcised after the Cuftom of the "^ewifh Nation, and then be forc'd to fly as a Thief by Night, or a Prince purfuM by his unna- tural Subjefts : Oh, my God ! What's the mean- ing of this AJionifljing Myfiery ? and how fhall I unfold the hidden Parable^ without fhedding an Ocean of Tears, or pining away with excefTive Thought, for the want of Woi'dsto explain the meaning of this Flight ! Oh my Dear Redeemer i^ how fhaU I attain to that meafure of true Sorrow, that may be fufficiently efficacious to melt a Jlcny Heart into running Floods, and raife the cool- ing Affeftions of languid Sinners above the airy Fancies of Senfe, tuneing the Paffions of their^ Souls to the higheft ftrams of Grief ; and yet keep my own Spirits within fuch bounds, that I may become an ufeful Monitor to fucceeding Ages f C 32 ] Ages? For be it henceforth proclaimed from Dan to Beerjhebay and unto all the World, That the Lord "Jejus thrift had been but a few days in his Hate of HumtlUtion^ before he was oblig'd to remove his Tent, and be privately carry 'd a- way in a doleful Winter-Ntght^ towards a Fo- reign Country : Oh then attend ye Servants of the Lord ! and endeavour to Sympathize with me 1 for whac Grief can be equal to this of mine, who bear a tender regard to the Lord of Glory ^ and will now accompany him in this infancy of his Sufferings^ and the beginning of his Grief to a more tragical End ; fince as yet he has fcarce experienc'd what Trouble means ! Oh my '^efm ! I am ready to wait on Thee, where-ever thou goeft \ or be thy State what it will ; oh that I could by any means attain the Honour to embrace thy tender Body within my folded Arms ! oh thou, whom my Soul loveth ! tho' it were but at fuch a time when thy Mo- ther begins to faint in this her hafty flight ! oh with what Affectionate Care would I preferve thee, my dear Saviour \ chufing rather to dye 'ten thoufand Deaths, than let thee Aide out of my Bofom ! oh thou whom my Soul loveth ! oh my admir'^d J(fi^y how would I run with thee from the Wrath of Herod the King ! and flee as it Were thro' the Regions of the Air^ till I had fecur'^d Thee from his Fury ! But fuppofing, oh my Soul ! thou wert intrufted with the Child Je- fu^y how could'ft thou think to make fuch fpeed, fmce Jofeph and his Mother finds it very diffi- cult cult to preferve the Babe from all the perils of a dangerous Journey, where perhaps no twrnk- ling Stars appeared to guide their way, in the unknown Paths towards the firmge Land^ whi- ther they are now halting. Or fuppofing, O my Soul / thou fhouldft dalh thy Foot againfl a Stone, and let the bleffed Infant fall, how fad then would be thy ftate / yet neverthelefs my care fliould ftill preferve the Lord from receiving nny harm, and I would inftantly rife again^ en- deavouring to be more CircumffeB in my future Steps : But what if the darknefs of the Night, O my Soul ! fhould caufe thee to miftake the way, and thereby expofe the Babe to the fury of Herod the King, how could fuch a Misfortune be retrieved ? Fear not, O my Soul ! I would foon recover the unhappy lofs^ by fending up my earnefi i^f'^'^^y? to Heaven's Gates, thatlbme glittering Star might peep out its fparkling Head, to guide rr^y feet '^ or elfe I would make fuch mournful CrieSy that the Eccho thereof fliould reach the Ears of fome neiahbourino- Inhabitants^ or early Traveller ^ to take pity of me in this my great Diftrefs, and fairly conduft me to the Road from whence I went aftray. But, O my Soul / what if neither the Heavens fliould difplay any glimmering Light ^ nor few'ifb Peafant come forth of his Cottage, nor good Samaritan come Riding by to thy Relief? teafe, my Soul, thy fad Complaints I admit it Ihould be lb, I would yet revive my droopmg Spirits, and buoy them up with this nmhty Confideration^ that the time D can't I 34 J can't be long, before the day mil dmn on top of the Eajlern Hills ^ and gently diffufe me fo much of its early Beams y as may ferve to light me in- to tnyfrjl waj^ where I would immediately fpeed, with a fwifter Motion than the purfuwg Tyrant with all his maffacring Troops of bloody Soldiers, and gain more ground, before the Sun had fully difplayM its luminous Body to the Inhabitants of the lower Vallies, than what I loft by ftrag- gling out of the way : But all that I fear, O my Soul ! is, that I never fliall be intrufted with the Care of the Child "Jefus in this his Journey to Egypt: yetneverthclcfs, I'll attend him through this his dangerous Pajfage^ altho' it be at the price of my mojl precious blood : And when I fee him fafe arriv'd, Fll pour out my Soul, and fay. Oh my dear Redeemer y what means all this thy removing from one City to another y and that in the Infancy of thy human Nature ? I would fain have con- gratulated thee on thy fafe Arrival^ if I could by any means humour a Joy, or fay, I'm pleas'd to fee thee in a firange Land^ but, O my Lord ! how fhall I revive my drooping Spirits y and cheer up with Mirth, till I fee thee again in thy Native Soil ! Then will I Rejoyce with an Exceeding Joy in thee, the God of my Salvation. But here I muft now leave thee to the Care of Mary thy Mother, and haft again to Bethlehem^ to hear what Herod the King will fay and do concern- ing thee, my Bleffed Jefus. CHAPe :>) J CHAP. V. Herod'y Cruelty. Then Herod^ when he faw that he was mocked of the Wife-men^ was exceeding wroth ^ and fent forth^ and flew all the Children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coafls thereof^ from two years old^ and un- der^ according to the time tvhich he had di- ligently enquired of the Wife-fnen. Then was 'fulfilled that which was fpoken by Je- remy the Trophety faying^ In Rama was there a Voice heard^ lamentation^ and weep" ingj and great mournings Rachel weeping for her Children^ and would not he comfort'^ edy hecaufe they are not. Match. 2. i($, 17/18. Accompany me, now, all ye that are the Heirs of the New Jerufalem^ in this my Return to the Land of Bethlehem ; where I fhall prefent you with a Scene of a Crimfon Die^ a- ble to make you rveep with me a Sea of Tears, and fetch a Volly of Sighs ; for Herod the King is now going to Slieath his Weapons of War within D 2 th [ 3<5 ] the Bowels of Innocent Babes^ who are uncapa- bie of making any Refiftance ; but innocently flare in their Murderers Faces with a Childijh Crjfy and JJjrinking Back as it they would fain exprefs themfelves in tiieir broken Language, and fay, M^hat injuries have we done to the Lord, our Kjng^ thus to incenfe his Wrath ? Would no Other Sacrifice appeafe his Fury, but the Toung Males of a few Months old, fince we never oflFended in Thought^ IVord^ or Deed^ againft the Lord our King ? Then, why muft our tender Limbs be picrc'd with Lancing Spears? Have we by our Strength oppos'^d his Laws^ or drove his numerous Armies back ? If not, why fhould our naked Bodies be carry'd in Triumph through the wide Streets of Bethlehem^ to be expos'd to the view of every Eye ? Have we, by forcing our paffage thro' the Shades of obfcurity^ to breath a while in a frefli Air, been the occafion of this Cruel Decree ? If not, why are we fo fuddenly cut down by his unrelenting Cruelty^ and not fuf- fer'd to take a few more Childijh turns round the winding Labyrinths of Godi^s Creation^ as our Forefathers have done before us ? Have our flirill Cries difturb'd the Repofe of the Lord our King, when we lay fprawling in our Mothers Laps ? If not, why are we then to be dejirofd from off the Land, and not fuffer'd fo much as to furvive the fhort term of two Tearsy fo as to utter a few more flights of impertinent Words, or broken Language ? Have we at any time drawn Milk from thofe Breafts, that fhould have nourifh'd fome C, 37 J fome New-born Prince ? If not, why are we re- fus- d Proteftion under the frefent EJlablijhmenty and not fpar'd fo long as to learn our Chrijl- Crofs-Rorv? Have we rais'd the Envy of the next Heir of the Royal_ Crown 3.nd Dignities of our Lord the King, by performing fomt prettier Actions in the Intancy of this our tender Age, than he vainly fancy'd he did, when he lay in his Nurfes Arms, attended with many fainted Toysy and filly Rattles? If not, why are we to be dejlroy^d^ and not permitted to fend up a few more thought lefs Smiles to a forry piece of Paint- ing, that refembles we know not what ? Alas ! all the Aftions ot our few Months^ have been fo httle worthy of notice^ that we might in rea- fon have thought, that the Lord our King would have employed his fleeting Moments to much bet- ter purpofe, than thus to caufe Proclamation to be made, th'Sit all Male-Infants^ from the Age of a day to that of twenty four Months^ fhould be thus barbaroufly deflroy'^d. O Herod the Cruel ! O Herod the bloody ! What doft thou mean by thus jhedding our Innocent Blood ? O Herod the Monil:er / O Herod the Tyrant / What account can'ft thou give to God, when thou com'ft to ftand amidft the Crowd of Blood-thirfly Tyrants, at the Great and Terrible Day of his wrathful Indignation ? Be it known to thee, O thou Blood-guilty KJng^ altho' this Savage Contrivance ^n'^ be fatal to thee, yet the Sentence^ tho' attended with Jtreams of Bloody will be an Eternal Gain to us : D 3 There- C 38 ] Therefore we are ready to return thee Ten thoufa^d ths-nks for conveying our Souls to Hea- ven fo foon ; for as yet we are only polluted with the guilt of Origind Sins^ v/hich the blood of that "Jefus^ which thou thirlteft after, will wafli away: Whereas, if thou fliould'ft reverfe this thy Decree^ our fpotlefs Souls will ere long be folluted in the poyfonous Baths of nciual ^ins^ and by that means merit the dtfj^lealnre of Fa- ther^ Son^ and Holy GhoH^ and be juftly doom'd to everlafting pains. But (praifed be the ever hlejfed Trinity /) we are now going to take Poffeffion o? z. Kingdom of Glory, where we fliall Cry no more^ Sorrow no more^ Sigh no more J nor be Slain any more ; but for ever reign with thofe, that never plluted their white Gar- ments in the malignant Die of new Trailfgreffions. And be it further known to thee, O King, that what thou can'll: do to our tender Bodies will he no detriment to our precious Souls ; but fooner haften their winged flights towards yonder Seat of Blifsy where all agree to return Eternal Fraifes of a Dear God, and a Loving Jefus : Then fhall we be free from all the pain of Senfe^ fo as never more to be imbroilM in tlie Cares and Sorrows of a naughty World, where there is nothing to be found but Days of Sorrow, and Nights of Grief Therefore be it known to thee, O King, that we had much rather undergo thyjevere Sentence in the Infancy of our Age, and afcend to the Joys above, than to accept of thy Mercies ^ and con- C ?9l continue In thefe Shades of Mifery^ here below : But only out of a dutiful regard to our tender Mothers^ who are now bedewing their wan Cheeks, with Showers of weeping 2^ears ; and e- very one uttering mournful Accents^ and faying, Where is now the Son of my Touth^ and the firji Fruits of my Body ? O lead me to the Infant Babe^ that I fo lately brought forth with Sorrow I left I lament as a difconfolate Widow for the lols of Her beloved Sfoufe^ or moan as a Dove for lack of her Mate. O let me fee the Babe^ that never yet was wearPd from his Mother's Breaft, and fuffer me not thus to moan with heavy Com- plaints I O ye that bear the Image of the mojl High^ why ftand ye thus gazing, as at a Comet, to behold my lamentable Shrieks ! and not rather hafte away to bring me Tidings concerning my JDarling Son^ in whofe Abfence I can't be com- forted^ nor revive my fainting Spirits I O tell me, where my beloved Infant is, or elfe my Eyes will become as a running Fountain of Water, and I fhall weep to fuch a ftrain of Griefs as to wafli the hairs of my head with the tears of my Complaint ! Delay not, but let me fee my be- loved Babe, that I may fweetly imbrace his ten- der Limbs within my out-ftretched Arms, and once more but dandle him in my Lap. O ye Children of Men ! take CompaJJion on me, that now lye languijhwg m Defpair, till I behold the Face of my lojl Child, and kifs his little Breajl with an affeftionate Love ! O ye that walk the Streets of Bethlehem^ fee P 4 how C 40 ] how I moan, pant and throb, becaufe I can't behold the Cradle wherein my Infa^it Uy^ or offer it the Breaft to ftill its lamentable Cryes : If you let me thus alone to ajflicl^ my Soul for the lofs of my helouedBahe^ Fie inllantly haft to the P/t- lace of my Lord the King, and make enquiry there concerning my Male-Child^ and if I hear he hath iffu'd forth a Decree to Sacrifice my jF/V/?- Born^ rie humbly proftrate my felf at his feet, and fay, O my SoiJeraign Prmce^ I am now corne to make my Addrefs to thee, not in words adorn'd with Fhmrs of Elo^ueme^ or with lines fet off with Rhetorical Figures^ which perhaps may not be fo taking to thy Gemus^ or charm- ing to thy Fancy J as loud Harangues of Praife, or Speeches filPd with fulfome Flattery ; neither am I come to craye at thy hands any high Pofi of Honour^ or large Qift of Favours.^ but to intreat thee to ffare my only Son^ and return him fafe into the Boiom Qi\\\sJorro]vful Mother ^ whofe Bowels yearn to fee him once again. Deny me not my Earnefi Requejly left the Paffions ot my Soul in- creafe, and thence extort from me bttter Com- f hints of thy Cryelty, for with-holding from me my rightful Fieir. For be it known to thee, 0 King, that my precious Babe doth no niorc of due belong to thee^ than thy Scepter of right belongs to me ; there- fore let not thy ujurping Power tyrannize over me, as an unrighteous^ ?^^%^i but reverfc thy Sentence^ and render to me my Sucking Babe ; for here Fie continue as the importunate Widow, till C4I ] till I hear fome Tidings concerning him : O my King, I dread by thy terrible JJpeB^ that thou liaft barbaroufly dejlrofd the Son whom I en- tirely love ; and fhall never ceafe my monmng^ till 1 fee him hving or dead, that I may Surfeit my felf either with '^oy o^ Grief before I lye down and dye. Hark! methinks I hear fome unujud Crjes of Infants young ! Pie inftantly depart to know the meaning of fuch bitter Ex- clamations! Behold, I efpy on the Tops of yonder Hills, whole Sc^uadrons of Qu^irds^ with Children ftuck on their glittering Spears ! O a- mazing fight ! There now I fee my Sucking Bahe^ w^hom I alfuredly know^ by the Marks it received an its Breasl^ when it lay conceaPd in my Womb ! O let me return to the cruel Tjrant^ that I may alfure him, the Kjng of lyings and Lord of L<9r^jr,will mbft certainly avenge my Wrongs^^and redrefs my Sufferings^ by pouring forth upon his Head full Vials of his wrathful Indignation^ and ere long diveft him of his ivordly Grandure^ by . commanding him to appear at his dreadful Tri- bunal^ to account for this his monflrous Barbarity^ and all other his lewd Abominations, O thou 0 tit r agio as Caitiff I when gav^e I thee any juft Caufe of oflence, thus inhumanly to maffacre my only Child ? O thou mcked Kjng ! behold the Streets run down w^ith innocent Blood, O un- heard of Cruelty ! thus to murder all the Male- Babes, 0 let me fee the dead Corps of my Child, weltring in Kis Gore-Blood^^ that I may pull out the [42 ] the woanMng iS/;^i and lajhes he felt in his Confcience^ when he feri- oufly weighed Things in their due Balance, We alfo Read, that Caligula crept under the Bed whtn it Thundred^ for Fear; as being convinced that there was a greater Power above, than he could pretend to here below. Now if the A- theif can bring no Proof to juflifie his Affertion^ that there is no God^ and that all things were Framed by Chance^ as he cannot; what a Fraud does he put upon his own Soul^ in afferting that for a Truth^ when he is Vigorous and Strong, which he contradict s^ as appears by his dijlra^- ing ing Fears J when funnmon'd by Death? So that an Athetji may be fitly compar'd to a Man in a Phrenzy^ who rages and talks of he knows not tvhaty during his mahgnant /'V of Madnefs'^ but when brouglit to his Reafon by Soveraign Anti- dotes^ he is ajham'^d of his Aftions, and acknow- ledges his Folly ; Wherefore I cannot but lament tlie wretched Ejiat£ of an Jtheiji^ and pity his grofs Folly, in affirming at one time, there is neither God nor DevU^ and at another he is. horribly a- fraid of they/y/?/Vf of the one, and the propenfe Mdice with the torment'mg Cruelty of the other. All which moft evidently difcovers an Atheijl to be devoid of Wijdom^ and that no ftrefs is to be laid on his wavering Principles. And this leads mc to prove a Deity y by taking tl^.e Atheijij as it were by the hand, to fhew him the Works of Creation in this folitary VVildernefs^ where I am now mufing on Things Divine^ and have nothing elfe to divert my Thoughts ; fince here is no Painted Harlot to betray my Heart to Luft, nor idle Chat to divert my \oky Speculations^ which are High, Rational, and Angelical Tlierefore I fhall take leave to ask the Atheijl tliefe following Queftions. I." If he can by all his Learning and Philofo^ phy^ Cunning and Skilly caufe one of thefe Prim^ rifeSy that here grow under this Oaken Flantj and tliefe little Branches, to Spring out of the Earth, and to Bud and Blow by his own Fu- iilaiice alone, without the mighty Poner of God f G 2 Or C.84] Or if not, let him but tell me the true Caufe^ why this Root ihould fpread and grow in this fhady Wildernefs without hemg jown^ fet, or flmtedy any more than a Pmk^ Carnation^ or Peony. If thou fayeft,, the one is of a more har- dy nature^ and has no need of much heat to ftrengihen its Stalk ; but the others having more tender roots, and being of a colder nature, re- quire a good Soily and the warm Beams of the Suny to open the Clefts of their Hoods ^ and dis- play their inclofed Colours. I tell thee this is no Anfwer to my Quefiion^ or giving me a Reafon of fo 'vaji a Difference in the nature of thefe various Flowers^ or an Account who it was that made them, or %vho made them thus to differ. If thou afcribeft it to Nature^ tell me what that Nature is, and what is its firft Original. If thou art fi- lent in this, thou muft come to the Cauje of Caufesy which muft of neceffity be the wonder- working Power of God. No, no ; vain man ! it is not thy bare Setting up for an Atheifi^ that will make thee an accompltflji^d one^ or gain thee any afflaufe among the Ingenious and Wife \ un- lefs thou canft defend thy felf by more cogent Argument Sy and Jironger Reafonings^ than were ever yet producM. Wherefore thou muft let fuch Secrets as thefe alone, as being as far beyond thy weak Capacity ^ to apprehend and ex- plain, as 'tis for a natural- born Fool to penetrate into the Profoundefi Deftgns of the moft Cun- ning Politician, when mdufirioufly difguifed by the moft plaufible Colours, No, vain Mortal ! al- tho' [85 ] tho' thy natural Genim were fo extraordinary, that thou couldft in an inftant make a diving E?igine to fetch up all the hiMen Treafutes that lie huri*d in the Sea, or hid in the Bowels of the Earth, neverthclefs it would avail thee no- thing, nor give thee any tnfight into the Secrets of natural Caufes^ whereby thou mighteft in- form me liow this little Flower grows, and what Caufe it was that ftain'd it with thefe different Colours : but thou would'ft find thy fclf obligM to cry out with me, and fay, It is an Efteft of the infinite Power and Energy oi .2iW All-wife Provi- dence^ and not the Produci of meer Nature, 2. Tell me, O thou daring Atheift ! how the Mofs grows on the Barks of the "Trees in this Wil- der mfs'^. If thou can'ft not rt/^/x'^ the Queftion, what a Fool art thou to fay, it is not God ? No, thou obdurate Sinner^ if thine Ingenuity was fo great, as to forge a round Injlrument of a fui- table Thicknefs and Length, whereby thou couldft pierce thorow the Bowels of the Earthy and fhould'ft then take a Milftone, and throw down into its deep Caverns^ to try the Experi- ment, whether it would lodge it (elf in the Mid- way, as is tlie Opinion of the nice Enquirers into Natural Caufs ; notwithftanding all this (I fay) thou would'it ftill remain uneatable of refolving me this folid Quejiion^ as a Man in a Dream^ or a Sot in the Stocks^ unlefs thou flioukPft afcribe it to my Soveraign Creator^ which is God : nay, be thy natural Parts never fo penetrating into all other Arts and Sciences^ yet when thou G 2 com'ft C 86 ] com'ft to dive into the hidde?i Myjleries of. God, and call in queftion his Imme?ifity^ thou art ho more able to defne it^ or give a Reafon why it Ihould not he fo^ than thou art capable to num- ber the Stars in the Firmament, or count the Motes in the Sun. Poor creeping Animd\ What art thou that pretend'ft to lay, it was not God^ but a natural Accident^ that caus'd Light to fliine out of Darknefs^ and commanded the Sun to cart its dazling Rajs on the Face of the Earth? Wb^tmx thouy lump of Duf\ that fay 'ft, It was tlie working of Nature^ which fpread out the Heavens like a Curtain^ and hefpangled the Sky with thefe vaft numbers oH twinkling Stars ^ that are therein to be k^n^ w^hen once the glorious Luminary of the Day has withdrawn his more dazzling Splendour^ to give way to the filentOb- fcurity of the fable Night ? What art thou, poor Creature 1 that fay*ft, It w^as the cafual Convul- fions of Nature^ that causM the Moon to cafl: its glimmering Light on the dark Mountains, and rugged Plains, and appointed its Change^ In- creafe^ and Decreaje^ without the help of any more potent Caufe ? What art thou, blind Mole ! that thoufliould'ft fancy 'twas Chance which firft ena-^ mePd the Tree^ and the Meadows with fuch a lovely Verdure ; and causM the Plants to fpring out of the barren Dujl of the Earth, with fpreading 'Branches^ and tender Leafs ? What art thou, empty Vanity \ that thou fliould'ft dare to affirin^ That it w^as mere Nature that fprouted forth Male and femdeQ\xt of the Bowels of the Earthy ortheMV try C ^7 ] try Elements^ without the Council of a ble^ed Trinity ? What art thou, defplcable Mm ! that fay'fl: it was the Spade of Nature^ which dug up the Deep Caverns of the Earth, wherein the Waters did Ebb and Flow^ and work up the Banks juft to fuch an heighth^ as ihofe might)^ Waters Jhould not exceed their due Bounds? What art thou, fading Mortal I that fay'ft, It was the ftriving of Atoms^ which implanted in- to the Mind of Men a ftdl perfwafwn^ that there is an higher Power than himfelf^ or that of Na- ture^ and which fills the Spirits oi daring Atheifts with horrid gripings^ and bitter Jlings of Con- fcience, when the Foundations of the Earth fhake with a. terrible Conuulfion^ and tremble as an Afpen Leaf 'I What art thou, helplefs Wormling ! who fay'il, That by the Efforts of Vnthtnkmg^ Nature^ the Heavens roar with lotid Peals of afioniflnng Thunder^ and thereby the Waters once were made to fwell to fuch a miolny Deltige^ as to drown the Earth with its overflowing Springs f What art thou, O infamous Duflling ! that fay 'ft, It was the Power of Nature^ that fet a Rain-bow in the Sky, as a Token to every Nation^ that the World fhould not be drowned any more ? What art thou, miferahk Clayling! that avers, It is the Force of Nature^ which fupports the Earthy and bears up the foundation thereof by its own ftrength ? In fine, Vv^hat art thou, fnfe- lefs Drone! th^t can without any colotir^ or rea- fonable pretence^ attribute to Thoughtlefs and Pajftve Nature^ without the Affiiiance ola more G 4 Powerful C88 ] Porverful and Intelligent Bemgy all fuch Changes and Revolutions as happen daily in the World, and the Management of every thing with an Or- der Jo regular y and fo Wife a Difcipline ? What art thou, O thou vain-boafting Thrafo! that thou fhould'ft thus pretend to know more of natural Caufes^ than all the Wife Philofophersy and Learned Sages^ that ever liv'd fince the Creati'^ on? Therefore I Challenge Thee, O thou Dog- matical Jtheift 1 to make now thy beft Defence^ and fummon up thy ftrongeft Arguments^ to prove how all things came to flace themfelves with fuch a becoming Regularity^ in this moft Beautiful Scene of vifihle Nature ; that after- A- ges may perufe thefe the heft Efforts of thy daring Jttemft^ and behold how eajily thou ait con- founded hy found Reafonings and undeniable Proofs. Wherefore I fhall here take leave to tranfmit to Poferity the firongeft of thofe Arguments^ that by Epicurus or any other fpeculative Atheijiy have ever been propofed to perfwade the he- ginning of all Things by Natural Caufes^ without the afliftance of a Supream Power. . Some Atheifs undertake to tell you, That the Matter of which the World was made is from Eternity, and of it felf ; and that there was an infinite empty Space for the innumerable little parts of this Matter^ which they call Atoms^ to move and play in ; and that thefe being always in motion^ did, after many fruitlefs Trials and Encounters^ without any Caufe or Defign^ and without the Difpofal and Contnvame of any Wife ' [89] IVife and Intelligent Bemg^ in the conclufion, by a fortumte Chance and mere Accident^ fo place themfelves, as to make up this fpecwus and regular Frame of the World, which we now be- hold fo well modePd and fet together; and that the Earth being in the full maturity of its Touthful Vigour^ brought forth all things inani- mate and animate^ together alfo with Man^Mde and Female^ in all their Parts and Shapes. Others give you this following Account of the firjl Caufe of Light fhining out of Darknefsy and the Original oi the Waters that filPd the mighty Ocean • as alfo why thefe their A\fertiom are not Attejled by Ancient Writers. As foon as the Earth, fay they, was Ripe for the bringing forth of Man, the Particles of fiery Matter, that lay difpers'd in the Earth and Air^ gathering together, and uniting their Light and Heat^ became that bright Body we call the Sun^ which now en- lightens the Earth, whofe warm Influence foon thaw'd the frozen and congeaPd Waters^ that lay lodg'd in the middle Regions of the Air, which floated down, and fo iilPd up the ma- ny empty Caverns in the Bowels of the Earthy together alfo with the deprefs'^d inecj^ualities on its furface, which we now call by the names of the Sea^ and the Rivers : and as for the ebbing and fioiving of the Ocean and Seas^ it arifcs from the thinnefs of the aqueous Nature^ and the in- fluence of the 'Suny Moon^ and Stars upon ^em. Moreover, as to the Reafon why thefe Accounts were not handed down, or mentiouM in Hijio- [ 90 ] ry^ it is becaufe the firft Man that inhabited the Earth, was unskilPd in making Characters oh the Duji^ or on the Barks of Trees ^ as was praftis'd in After- Ages. And this is the beft Account that the ancient Epicurm^ and the up- ftart Jtheiji have been able to give of the 0- riginal oj the WorU^ and the frft Caufe oi Things. Thefe their Arguments^ when throughly fcan'd, will be found utterly irreconcileahle to Right Reafon ; and being ot fo pernicious a Tendency ^ I fhall ufe my utmoft Efforts to extirpate them out of the Minds of Men, by proving all things to be the wonderful Works of God, in this foli- tary Retirement, whither I am now retreated from the fmlling Floods of Atheifm and Pro- phanefs : And if by any means I could appeafc the Wrath and Fury of an Incenfed Deity ^ and defend his Caufky ^hy making all their extra-- vagant Opinions to appear vain, empty, and ri- diculous, then I fliould obtain the Crown of my Wifhes. To proceed then, How can it agree with a reafonable Soul to believe, that a whole World fhould be made out of a dark Chaos, containing but a little of thinly difpers'^d Matter^ without the mighty Power and Contrivance of a Supream Beings and of fuch a curious Compo- fure, that if Ten thoufand Solomons had ftudi- ed Ten hundred thoufand Years,^ all their Wtf- dom and Policy^ Wit and Sagacity could in no ways have fram'd any one part of it, or have placM things in • fuch a regular Order ^ as they now [ 90 now appear. Further, If this beautiful Fdbrick was made only by the moving of Atoms^ as the Ailmft vainly pretends it was, how many Worlds might we have had by this time ? And if fuch a Magnificent Struciure could be raisM out of a rude Mafsj only by n?eer Chance^ or hlij'id Fortune 'j which is the fam.c, as to fay, without my Caufe at all ; it might be reafonably expefted, that there fliould be a number of Worlds^ as well as Generations of Men : for if fo fmall a Matter made the Firji fVorld^ there were then Materials enougl] in that to make Tf// Thoufand more. Moreover if the World was fo eafily made, as the Epicurean Pretends^ no Man need doubt, but if at any time he afcended to the top of fome lofty Mountain or Sfire\^ with an handful oi fine Sandy and feat ter'^d it in the Air, to find at his coming down again, every grain of its difperfed Dufi congeaPd together, and cu- rioiifly carvM out into di noble Statue of fome re- nowned Prince.^ or Victorious General : Or that if a Bird at any time fliould Wing it f elf aloft into the Air, and thence drop a few oi her Feathers^ Die needed but fing a Note or two, and on her Defcent might fee every one of the little Quils turn into a pretty Chirping Sparrow. This kind of Arguing may to fome feem ftrange, and be judg'd by them a Method altogether unfit folidly to confute and cotzvince the Atheift^ and to prove that God made the World : but however it may appear in the view of the unthinking part of Mankind^ Fm fure the Parallel is juit and pertinent [ 92 ] pertinent to the Subjedl : For it is a Thoufand times movQ feafible that fuch things fhould come to fafs^ than that this exquifite Model of the Earth fhould be all of a fudden made by fome llttleCaufe^ or rather mthout one^ of a thinly differ s^d Mat- ter^ as the- Atheifi alledges ; and that it fliould be fo fruitful in the Infancy of it, as without the Suferintendemy and Direction of a Supream Power ^ to fprout up into Male and Female^ and caufe them to be fo enamour'* d with each other, as to beget their 0}vn Kjnd^ without giving the Earth any further trouble of bearing more of the fame KJnd within its Virgin Womb. This is as if a Man fhould make two fir iking Clocks to go with a perpetual Motion^ and then fay to the Work of his own Hands^ Join your running "Wheels together, and make more of the like fafhion^ without my aid ; for behold I am become iifelefs^ and not able to produce any more of the fame Work : Good God ! what an unfenfible fiory is this, and how fooltjhly pack'd together ! Sure- ly, if the Atheifi had any Ingenuity^ or d^fign'd with Succefs to impofe upon the World, and gain to himfelf a Reputation^ he might have told his Story much more to the advantage, and faid thus; That the World had no Beginnings nor fliould ever have my final End. That the firft Man and Woman were from Eternity ; but being far diftant from each other, met not till five thoufand and fome odd hundreds of years ago, when they began to increafe and multiply^ which brought fo great a Weaknefs upon Nature, that they C9? ] they and their Pofierity became Mortal. I fay, if the Epcureans had deliverM themfelves after this manner, they might have had more hopes of gaimng Profelytes to their Party. But their Account is fo far removed from Reafor?^ that one would think, if they had any remains of Mo- defyy they would hide themfelves for jhame in {omc fol/ury Cave of the Earth, and nevermore appear in publick vieiv^ left quick-fighted Men fhould fpy them out, and deride them tofcorn^ for their grofs Ahfurdities, I come now to confute the other fort of A- theifis ; which fay, That after the World was made^ and ilf^;^ liv'd, thtfery fparkles of Matter that lay difperft in the Air, affembled together into ajhim/ig Sun. Which Opinion feems to be al- together as ridiculous as the former. For what Perfbn of underftanding can perceive by the Eye of Reafon^ that any Heat fhould be lodg'd in a Black Chaos ? But admit there were, it's very ftrange that thofe jiery Vapours fliould lye conceaPd for fo many Millions of years^ and never fo much as dart out their Beams^ 'till the *TEarth was conie to its full Maturity^ fo as to bring forth Man ; and juft then gather all its fcatter'^d Heat, and turn into a glorious Lumina- ryy fixing its vajl Body in a lofty Firmament ; and order the matter fo, as to give light to the whole Vniverfe^ without the afliftance of a Di- 'Vine presiding Power. Thefe are Notions rigg'd out with fo little Confderaiion^ that they feem to carry no Ballajl of Reajon^ or weight of fudg., ment [ 94 ] ment along with them ; fo that I muft take Icaye to tell i\\dc fort of Atheifis^ that they have fo confufedly laid their matters together^ that it will prove a difficult Task for them to ex flam their Meanings and bring their Notions to bear the Standard-Mark of true Philofophy. Wherefore, I could in a manner intreat them, either to orvn their Err or ^ and acknowledge their Mtfiake^ or tofet an higher value on their Reputation^ by telling their ftory thus ; That the Eaftern part of the Earth being of a [tdfhureom Matter^ broke out into fuch a violent burnings that the inten- feft Degree of Heat reach'd up to the Sky, and put the Firmament all over of a Blaz>e^ being of a Tindery Matter which foon takes Fire ; and thus all the Oily Matter thereof being fet in Flame, the Fire has been ever fince continually fuvvlfd by huge Mountains of that {^Lmtfulphure-- vus Matter^ that lay lodg'd in the ufPer Regions. And as to the Reafon why it is not always Day^ in every part of the World at one and the fame time^ 'tis becaufethe Globe of the Earth is continually in motion^ fuccelTively turning all its parts to and from that luminom flame ; fo that when we are inlightned l)y its Meridian Beams^ fome other parts of the World fuffer an Ecliffe of Dark- nefs-.l^Yj fuch a Relation as this would ap- pear much more flaufihle than the former^ Wherefore I hope the Founder of thefe extras vagant Notions^ will henceforth have fo much Modefty, as to be ajham'^d of the fluff }\^ en- deavourM to impofe on the World with iuch an C95 ] an impudent A^urame\ no lefs than an Impjior would be, that were difcover'd expofmg to . Sale a Cryjlal GUfs for a true Diamond^ tO an igno- rant Buyery who concludes that all are Jewels that glifier in the Dark. Which brings me to confute a third Advance made by the preten- ders to Atheifm ; which is thus exprefs'd by them. As foon, fay they, as the Sun began to flilne on the New-made iVorld^ its warm influence thaw'd the Frozen Element s^ that lay congeaPd in the middle Regions^ and fill'd up the hollow Caverns of the Earth with watry Floods^ where- in we now Navigate^ and thereby carry on the great Affairs of Trade ; The Reafon of their Ebbing and Flowing they deduce from the thin- mfs of their Nature^ and the Influence of the Sun^ Moon^ and Stars. This Account is fo dif- ferent from, that of all the Ancient Writers'^ and Learned Rabbies^ that a few Words may fuffice to lay the darling Fabrick in the Duft. For how can it confift wixh Truth, that fuch a mighty Weight fhould be born up in the empty Atr from all Eternity, without the Arm of an O?nnipotent God^ But that which will uttterly deftroy this Opinion, is this; That fuppofing thefe Waters were lodged in the Atr^ and Fro- zen all o're with an huge Cake of Ice ^ how ma- ny Years muft needs pafs, before the gentle Heat of a material Sun could penetrate with its warm influence thorough fuch a thick Mat- ter, which doubdefs was Ten thoufand fathom deep? [ 96 J deep ? But fuppofing that in its ///// vigour \t was of fo extraordinary an Heaty as to melt down the cold rigid Element into running Streams. What Man can believe, that a meer Natural Caufe^ altogether void of Vnderjianding and Con- trivance ^ fhould of it lelf Dig up the great Depths y and plough up the large Rtvers^ jult to fuch a fize as to contain thofe mighty Waters^ and no more ; fince it is evident ^ that when the Hea- ven fends down but a few hajly Shower s^ ma- ny Streams [well beyond their Bounds^ and o- ^erfiow theu' Banks. Whofoever therefore was the frji Broacher of this Opinion^ may be fitly icompar'd to a Man that tattles out he knows not what, before he rightly apprehends any thing of the matter : For had he had any remains of Ingenuity ^ doubtlefs he would have given in his Opinion ^ That from Eternity there lay floating in the Center of a dark Chaos^ a Mais of deep Waters^ which difpersM them- felves in ^nany Channels ; and when the Atoms were at work in making the World^ they mould- ed the Earth fo artificially together^ as to make Chambers of every Height^ Lengthy and Depth^ to Lodge its Waters in, in fuch manner as before they had difpers'^d themfelves; and that by the continual moving of the great Body of the Earth, the Waters Ebb and Flow. This Account might have feem'd much more pro- hable than the former, and have gain'd a more favourable reception among the more refined fort of Unbelievers, I C 97 1 I come now, in the laft place, to give the final Blow to the Atheiftick Canfe^ and beating the A- thcijis from their lafl Refuge^ to turn their great Artillery againft them, by (hewing. That their own Cortfejjion has utterly deftroy'd all the Ac- coHfft they have hitherto given of the Exijience of all things v/ithout the Infinite Power of Al- mighty God ^ whilft they acknov\f ledge, that the ivr/? Man, or Men, that liv'd after the World was made^ were not skill'd in making CharaSeri in the Dujl^ ov on the Barks of Trees^ as was praftis'd in after Agesx, which is the Reafon^ why thefe Accounts they now give of the Be- ginning of the World, and the Firjl Work of Na- tural Caufes^isnot handed down to this Generati- on : And that if there were any fuch Records^ they were loft in the Deluge. Good God ! do but obferve, with what an Air of Complacency and unaccountable Confidence the Atheijl Ajjerts it for a certain Truth, without fo much as faying, It is probable that may be the Caufe, why thefe their Relations are not now Extant in any Hifiory, as Other Accounts are. But it mufl b* fo, becaufe it fuits with their deluded Fancies and vicious Habits. Now from hence it Appears, That the Atheifi is no more capable of giving any Account of the Beginning of the World,t\\2Ln the enliven d En/brio^ that but yet lies Sprawling m his Mother s Wontb^ knows her Age, or the Moment when it fhall be tumbled into the World, and afterward make its Exit thence. All thQ Npife then which H ' they L98'] they have hitherto made againft the Beittg of a God, and concerning the Begitfnwg of the Worlds is all tUrn d into an empty Blaji of Air, and vanifh'd as the Sparks that arife from a fnddcr? .flaft) of Fire 5 and all their Accounts are juft as if a Man (hould cfjtertain m with^ long Story of Things, that were tranfafted \x\ foreign Countries^ fome Thoufands of Years ago ^ and when we come to ask owl oi what HiJtorjhQ borrow'd tb^k Jirarrge and wofiderful Relations^ which he k confidently affirms for an undoubted Truih^ he fliould have no other Anfwer to re- turn, but this, That in the Age when thefe mighty things happen d.thcve was no Man fo Lear- ned^ or Jfife, as to keep a i?eg//?^r of any Tran- fa&ions 5 or if there was, they were loft by fome unhappy Accidents many years ago 5 but if any Records could have been Rrodncd^ they would have been conformable to the Account he had now given, and a Confirmation thereof. Certainly we fhould look on fuch a Perfon as Lunatick^ or intoxicated with the Fumes of Wine^ and de- plore his unfanfible condition. Why! thus ftands the Cafe with every Epicure- an^ and unbelieving Athetfi, who make any pre- tence either by Writing.Words.ox ASions.topQY- fwade that there is no God^ or Soveraign Creator- of the Z)niverfe!y fince they cannot bring any Tefiimony or Reafon for making out their weak and precarious AfTertion. But left any fhould, through Ignorance ox Inadvertency^ be infefted by the contagious 3,nd fpr^ding Leprofie ofAtheifm^ or I 99 1 or be inclin'd fo much as to doubt the Bewgof a Deity '^ I (hall make it appear beyond allCo^- tradi&ion^ that there is a Supream Creator^ by his Works of Wonders which I now behold, tho' in a lomfome Wildernefs ; where I am at this time taken up in Contempt at'wg his Im- menfe Poiver, near the Son of his Eofom^ who is hither retreated alone, to perform the Ne- ceffary Afts of Fajling^ Mortification^ and Self- Denial, in this folitary Wildernefs^ where no Prefidi'j;:s Jew^ nor Satan's Malice can reach to harm my Dear Redeemer:^ and where, I hope. Heaven will aid me with Jlrength fujficient to convert th^ fait hie fs Soul^ and bring home wan- dring Sinners^ ev'n fo as to make them cry out, " We now Believe in the true God : O may he *' ever Confirm us in this unerring Faith. I hope? none will think it ftrange, that I prove a God and Providence^ in a Language and Stile diffe- rent from all Learned Divines^ and Judicious Writers, It is my firm PerfvpaJJon^ without the lea ft: RefleSion on any approved Author^ or In- fpired Preacher^ that the mioft: effeftual way to bring home wavring Minds to own a God, is by leading them as it were into r folitary Grove^ there to difplay the Works of the Moft High in a lively Reprefcntation ^ becaufe fuch was the place chofen by my dear Jefus to baffle Satans Malice, and Convert the Unbelieving Jews. And indeed what can be more Convincing to an Athe- ijlical Perfon, than folid Reafons propofed in an Exalted Style^ while at the" fame time are H 2 pointed [ 100 ] pointed forth to them, as it were with the Finger, the cnrioHs Works of God on Earthy and in ththighefl Heavens 5 as Sun^ Moon^ 2inA Stars i Then come away, ye faithlefs Souls^ with all that queftion the Bei72g of a God^ or afcribe the Exijlence of the World to I know not what blind Chance^ and Tie convey you to the run- ning Springs^ 2indi green Shades^ where we'll fair- ly debate the Matter, whether thefe things are the Worhnan/hip of a Wife Almighty Power, or that of unthinking natural Caufes 5 and then de- part, if thoucanft, without faying with me. Thou, O Supreme Being ! art that wonderful Ar- chite^, who haft raifed the Waters out of the Bowels of the Earthy to quench the thirji of the wild Beajis in the Forefi^ and in thy Loom is the Mantle woven, that covers the Nakednefs of every Tree, Herb, Field, or Meadow with a lovely variety oi Green, and other Colours. Sit down, then, here with me near thcCc gliding Streams, and cool Bowers, and ferioufly Confi- der what other Caufe or Being is capable of bea- ring up the Foundation of the Earth, but the ftrong Hand of God 5 for (hould he but withdraw his out-ftretched Arm from under its Foundati- ^«,tho'but for 2L fmall Moment, tho, Earth would turn topfy-turvy, and fall into the cbfcure Gulph of it's Original Confufion. Therefore re- ceive it as an undoubted Truth, That the main Bafts Which upholds this vaft Globe of the Earth, is the Immenfe Power of God, whereby he has eftablifh'd it upon its Northern, and Sou- thern L ic^ J tf)ern Poles, which the Almjghtj Carv'd out, when he caird a Conncil of the Trinity^ and fixt them by his own Strength, fo as never to be removd till the general Day of Recommences^ when they'l bend as a Withy Plant, and let their Burden dijfolve into its Primitive Chaos, Then th^y who deny d a Deity, will, to their E- ternal fhame, be convincd^ That this beautiful Fabrick was VlOI jumbled together by the playing oi Atoms ^ or any other Inchy Chance^ but that it was the Wife Council of Father^ Son, and Holy Ghoji^ which fo exqttifitly compadied th^ wonder- ful Frame. They will find that their Concepti- ons concerning the Works ofCreation,3.rc wretch- edly fcanty, and their Arguments too frivolous to induce a thinking Man to disbelieve the Immen- fiiy of the Lord God Jehovah. VVhofoever then would fet up for a Compleat Atheift, muft bring flronger Proofs, and Summon up more weighty Reafons to defend his Canfe-^ or elfe he will have no other Followers, but a heflial Crew of unthinking Men, who v/ould fain have no God, becaufe the Abfence of fuch a Bdfig a- grees beft with their Vicious Habits. SECTION IIL On the Sun. THen gfize aloft, O then daring Atheijll and view the yonder pining Sun, thatis now priding it fcif in its Meridian Splendor, and H 3 fending L 102 ] fending down its Beams of Light, between the ruffling Leaves and wav'wg Branches^ that are mov'd to and fro by ev'ry Eaftem Gale^ and Summer's Breeze. Stand aba(h'd, and ferioufjy confider, what (hould be the Efficient Caufc of this glorious Luminary blazing out its lighted Beams on the hthabitants of every Nation : Mufe a while within thine own Breaft, and give me thy Befl Thoughts^ whether it is not more eligible to afcribe ^o great a Work to the Power of Almighty God^ than to a Random Chance of Natural Caufes : And if thy Reafon is infufficierit to prove, that it was only Chance, without the help of any Supream Beings humb- ly proftrate thy felf at the Throne ofGrace^ and cry out in this my ufual Langmge, O God ! the only Creator of the TJniverfe, and the main Upholder of all the Ends of the Earth ^ what am \^ frail MortaV. th^t I (hould prefume to call into queftion thy unlimited Power, or doubt thy infinite Being, fmcc my firft Original was Dujl\ and my End will be Corruption} And how imcapable am I of giving any true Account of the Beginning of the World, who came into it but a few years ago, and when a few more are over, mull: lay me down in the Bed of difl)o- nour ? So that my befl Ejiate is but Vanity : for were I ofter'd Ten thoufand Worlds, 1 could not throw this Glorious Sun into an Eclipfe, or draw a Jljowry Cloud over its beautiful Counte- nance: No, no 5 fuch matters are as far beyond mj Fovper to accomplifiy as it is for a blind Mole to 1 103 J to fliake the Fotwddtion of the Earthy when it is railing up its little Hills. How uncapable am I, poor Worm\ to tell the Firjl Caufc of this great Light, who was never cited to give my advice in hflrange a Work ? Wherefore Tic no longer difpute of Matters too high for my narrow Apprchenjions^ but afcribe them all to God, and modeftly Contemplate thcfe his wopjderfffl Do- ings^ in caufing Light to fpring out oi Darhnefs, For fhould I prefume to fearch too far into the Arcana of his Imperial Power, I fhould foon be fwallovod up with fuch a multitude of confufed Thoughts^ that no Antidote could in the leaft a- vail to heal the Dijien/per oi my crazed Mind^ or Rejiore me again to Reafm, How amazing is it to calt an Eye on yonder Shy, ^nA ferioufly furvey what a boundlefly Vnijfant Being mud needs be concern d in the firjl Lighting the glorious Lamp of Heaven, and making its kind Inflnence (hine on the barren Wildernefsl But that which carries me ev*n heyond my felf, is to think that this very Snn^ wliich I now behold, fliould ap- pear to mj View of no larger Circtimfcrence than a i^^fe^r of an indifferent fize^ whereas its /^- ming Orb is really an hundred and eleven times bigger than the whole Globd of the Earth. If fo, how many Millions of Miles muft this vaft Celejlial Fire be diftant from this our terrejlrial Habitation} Then wing it up, O my tranfpor- ted SohI\ and fuffer thy purefl: Speculations to dwell a while on thofe upper Regions of Light, to admire that unlimited Power, which at one H 4 word C 104 3 Word, fet the Heavens all over in a fiame^ and difpeird the thick Darkmfs^ which had been from Eternity . O my God ! this is a Work far above the Reach of Man, or the Strivings of Natural Cattfes. Therefore it muft be afcribed to the Wifdom of thy Eternal Council. Stand then agaft, Q my afpiring Soul ! and divinely meditate, what a vajl Region of Darknep th^re muft ne^ds have been betwixt Earth 2Lnd Heaven, before the Sun lookt out of the Cafer^tents of the Eaji with its Virgin Lujier ! and what a bright Light, and Fiery Heat that muft needs be, which thus enlightens the Earth, and nourijhes the Fruits that grow therein, with its warm Beams'^tho at fuch a diJiance,2S modeftly fpea- king, would take up Fifty Years for defying Ar^ row to reach its height, altho' it were to cut the Region of the Air^ half as fwift as any Bullet flies towards its appointed Mark : But, O my God \ that which takes up my Admiration, ev'n to an Extafy, is to Contemplate how it gives its conjlant Attendance to my Perfon, where-ever I go, and yet at the fame Inflant, is alfo waiting on Mil/ions more, tho* difperft in This, and fe- veral 'Neighbouring Nations 5 as evidently ap- pears by fliadowing out our walking Bodies ac- cor 'ingto their due Proportions, fo as never to ciiff.i t'le breadth oi z fmgle Hair in its Meafu- ring ns out. O my Lord Jehovah \ thefc are drrp Confiderations and fuch as convince me^ Thar this bright Sun, which I now behold Efla- blifht in the Firmament, is the Workmanfl)ip of thy Hands^ C 105 3 Hands, and not that of hlwd Chance : So that now my Contemplations are convey'd beyond the Sphere of Earthly Joys, and drowned in the Main Ocean of Ajlonijhing Wonders ^ and unlels I ceafe to mufe on thefe Profound Conjiderations^ I fear, I (hall foon be hereavd of the life of Natural Reafon, and not know how to Defend thy Caufe againft a blafphemous Age : For who can think of this thy Mjfierious Work with a fe- rious Thought, and not be rapt into an Extafy > Wherefore He now hafte to ftay the fwift Ca- reer of my running Pencil, left I draw my Thoughts into a Labyrinth of too curiom Sptcula^ tions, and by that means come to wander in this mournful Defart, as a Man deprived of Dnder- Jianding. For be it known to all that read this Effaj, that whofoever thinks too nicely on the ftupenduous Works of God, will foon be led be- yond themf elves, which will one Day appear to be worfe than a Venid Sin 5 for why fhould a ntortal Man dive too deep, in hopes to grapple that which he cannot roeigh up with the Cable , of Reafon, or think on things infinitely /^r/?^/! Jing the Verge of his Comprehenfion, till becomes to be Spiritualized in a more perfeS State / Tie ceafe therefore, for a while, to treat in fo High aflrain, and learn to write on SubjeSs not fo Surprizing to the Con f derate, and more refind part of Mankind^ tho' as yet I hope I have tranfmitted nothing to Pojlerity, but what may be ofZJfe to the n/eancjl Reader, for the firength- vlng of his Faith, and guiding of his Life ia this [ io6 ] this Atheifiical Jge-^ wherein many look upon it, as no fmnU Accomplifiment to their Perfons, to make li.^ht of the Immenfity of SLuAlwife God^ and to leflen his vpondrons Doings^ by afcribing thofe Things to blind Chance^ which ought to be the Caufe of amaz^ement to evYy rational Creature^ when theyconfider how every thing is contrivd^ as witneffes this Glorious Luminary. O my God ! if there was none other of thy Works to be feen in the higheft Heavens^ than this bright Sun^ it would fufiSce abfolutely to Convince me^ that thy Almightj Power was Con- cerned therein : But behold. Lord ! there are many more. SECTION IV. On the Moon. NOw let us rife from thisfiadj Bank, and fetch a few turns around fome part of the Neighbouring Woods, till the Clofe of the Even- ing, when the New Moon will peep out with itsjkarpned Points, near unto the Sun s Wcftern Bed : Then will I fliew thee, O thou unbe- lieving Inf dell the P^25?er of God therein :, and thou (halt tell me, if thou canft, what Hand it was that reached fo high to fix it there. If thou fay 'ft, it was the Arm of Man, or the Power of Nature, that wrought it out after fo curious a Manner, Tie foon convince thee of thy grqfs Mijlakc, and make it convincingly appear, that it was the curious Finger of an Omnipotent God^ L 107 j God, thkt filver'd out that berding Crefccjtt^ which v^e are now beholding, and that his Hand will be daily at work thereon, till he hath compleated it into a perfect Orh-^ when it will Shine with a radiant Lnfler^ and fully difplay its illnflrioHs Face to the Eye of every gazing Beholder -^ as will more abundantly appear, if we'll flay a while to fee it priding it felf'm its higheft Meridian Exaltation, and fHllcJi Afj)eU^ and then obferve, how gradually God draws a black Vail over its beahtiful Face^ and hides its bright Countenance from every expefting Eye. But here I muft retire a while, to vent my griefs and pour out the Paffions oimy affliSed Soul, in diftilling Floods of trickling Tears, to think that any bearing the linage of the Almigh- tj, fhould wilfully turn Monjiers in Human Shape, by afcribing this wonderful Work to fome other Caufe, O let me alone a while ! and liften to what I have to, fay to my Soveraign King^ concerning you that difown his Holy Name^ and will not adhere to Reafon, O thou Eternal Being! vvho waOifrom Ever- lafting, and wilt Reign ^vhen Time Jhall be no more^ fuffer 2l finite Creature to give an Idea of the Tranfcendent Works oi thtt his Creator, and let not my Contemplations foar fo high, or my Grief run too far, left I exceed the Bounds of Moderation, and thereby am overpowered with too much Intention of Mind, ev'n at a time when I am treating on thy infinite Power, in hanging C io8] hanging out the Moo», as a fljinwg Lamp to en- h'ghten the dark Corners of an Inhabitable World with its felverd Beams^ a Work Uttle Inferior to that bright Body which rnles the Day : for tho* the one is exalted much higher into the wanderfnl Depth of the Starry Firmament than is the other ^ yet thy Fovper does wonderfully appear in the Lejfer Body of the Moon : How can I then chufe, but admire thee^ my God, when I thus behold thy Wifdom^ Power and Glorj, who hath thus Ordered it, that there fhould he 3. more faint tho* yet Glorious Light to appear in the Heavens, when the more re- fulgent Body of the Snn enters into its private Chamber^ as a Bride into her retird Apartments y to be di veiled of her gaudy Drefs^ till the dawn of another day 5 with this Decree^ That if at a- ny time the Great Luminary fhould arife from his blujhing Bed^ before the Lejfer Light has en- tredits Wejlern Apartment^ it ftiould withdraro its Lights notwithftanding it keeps on his Way^ and proceeds in its wonted Courfe. Then what fhould be the Occafon of all this, O thou my great God ! but that thy Power might be vifi- hlt to every feeing Eye ^ that thereby none may with any colour of Reafon difown thy Handi- rvorks^ or queftion thee to be their Maker: So that with permifjion from thee. My Sovereign Creator, Tie ask the Luciferians, or conceited Denyers of thy moft Holy Name, what their Opinion would be of Perfons that fhould confi- dently go to a Curious Painter, who had lately prefented C 109 ] prefented the World with many Fine Pieces of his Art, and tell him. That indeed they had feen many rare Pi&Hres^ which were affirmed by all to be drawn out by his exqutjite Pencil^ but fince they were not inTowniwhen//?'^' were finiflfd^ and faw him not perform the Work^ they could by , no means be perfwaded. That ifis Hand ever laid a Stroak thereon : But that tkeir Opinion of the Matter was thus, That on a cer- ^ tain Day^thty knew not when, fome pieces of Canvas chancing to hang out^ they knew not where, a certain Man came by, as Luck would have it, with a Brnfl) under his Arm^ and gave a few carelefs Rubs on ev'ry part of the Cloth, and by meer Accident all the Stroaks were fo rightly laid^ that they appeared fo artificially Fine^ without the help ofhim^ OX any other Arti- ficer whatfoever : furely you would account fuch Men as prating Fools^ and look upon them as unfit for Converfation. Ev*n thus the Cafe (lands between God and Thee, O thou ntalig- nant Atheifi ! for thou haft heard it attefied by evVy Nation^ Language^ and People^ That this Delicate Fabrick of the World is the Wonderful Workntanfiiip of God, and that his Power in the fornting of all things doth as far, yea infinitely more exceed that of all others^ as the Value of a Precious Stone doth that of the courfcfi Pebble. Yet notwithftanding this vaft Dijproportion^ thou boldly oppofes his Scveraignty by thy Blaf pheinous Affertions, and as it were, telTfl: him to his Face^ That thcu haflryiT// a World wifely contrivd^ [ no 1 €OKtrlvd, and cufioufly compaUed together, but canft not by any means conceive him to be the Author of it ^ tho attefted by the General Qmfnt of Human Societies ^ but that this vifibk Worlds with ajl things therein contained, was Pmffled together by the moving of Atoms^ or fome other Natural Accidents^ without the Af- fiftance of a Di^'/W Hand, and yet can give no more Reafon v/hy \t floonld be fo^ than a filly Afs is capable of dividing a Syllable^ or explain- ing a Myjicry : For I here challenge Thee, O thou daring Atheijil before G<7^, Angels^ and Men, and all the Powers abve^ to fummon a J General Council of all thy Atheiflical Tribe ^ to 1 produce but one folid Argument, or good Reafon, that it was only the empty Workings and firug- glings of Natural Caufes, which made this Moon, which you now gaze at, to differ from the Glorious Body of the Sun, in ev*ry Refpefl, Degree and Motion 5 altho they are hoihfldine- ing Bodies, and run their courfes in the upper Regions : For the Sun is large and lofty, the Moon leffer and lower 5 the Sun fliines with fuch a dazding Raj^ as to fuffer no Eye to view Its Refulgent Face, without watering its Lids, or weahning its Sight ^ the Moon darts out its hind Beams with a fainter Glance, and gives all SpeSators leave to behold its pallid Features, without offending their tender Eyes, or prejudi- cing the Sight of its Admirers : the Sun keeps its full Proportion without any Diminution, altho itconftantly removes its Station witha fwift but undifcer- £"0 undifcernible Motion^ either further or nea- rer to us 5 the Moon is always increafing or de- creafng^ with fuch a palpable ^//er^zto;/, as may- be eafily difcernd evVy day by any Curious A- ftrologer : Now, if all your JVit^ Cunning and Skill can make it appear, that the Power of God is no ways concerned in all this, Tie then unite my Faith with that of yours, and pofitively fay, that all things came ^/ C^^;/re : but if you fail therein, as I find you do in every particular pointy Head^ or Article^ Tie cry you down as bafe Impoftors^ and go to the Firfl Caufe of all Caufes, which is the Eternal and All-wonderfd God, expreffing my felfin this Language 3 Let who will fet up for Ajheifm^ and run them- felves quite out of their Wits, by pleading a- gainft thine /;p?/?>?/Ve Power, anddifowningTheei to be their King 3 Vll ftay me here, and meditate in this mournful Thicket, and for ever afcribe the Wonders that I here behold^ to thy moft Ho- ly Name, who liv'ft for ever and ever, above the yonder Pale-facd Moon, which thou haft placed as a noble Planet to rule the darkfome Night, and influence the Ebbing and Flowing of the briny Sea. I SECTION V. On. the Stars. F what has been faid of thefe two glorious Bodies^ that bear Domihion in the Superior Regions, C "2 ] Regions^ will not ferve to confute the Athetjls^ and convince them that they are the admirable Works of the Almighty : I'll lead them up to yonder Mount, when the Sun has hid his lUu- Jirio^j Head in the Lap of Thetk^ and the lef- fening Moon draws near her Change, and bid them caft an Eye on the glittering Stars, that fparkle with a brighter lujlre, than the mod polifh'd of the Oriental Gems, that ever adorn'd the celebrated Beauties in the Courts of the greateft Earthly Princes, in their moft fplendid and magnificent Appearances^ and defire them to tell me by what Power, Art, or Being, they were there fix'd in fuch numerous Multitudes? If they alledge this to have been done by No,- ture, ril ask them how it reached fo high, with^ out the aid of an Omnipotent Hand, to convey it up fo far > And how it was poffible, that of itfelf it fhould make every one of thofe Spang- ling Lights, t\\Q leaft of which is bigger than the Earth} As alfo, how Nature^ came to be fo very exaS, as to range them all as it were in Battle-array, and therein to preferve them with fuch an Excellent Difcipline, th^t they hare not deferted their Poji, nor broken through their Files for ntdxSix ThoufandYesirs together^ but appear thk Night to be in the fame Order, as they ever yet have been, and will be in juft before the Elements melt with fervent Heat, and (hrivel up like a mighty SchroU ? Be- hold the Atheifls can make no reafonable An- fwer to th^k Jirange things, but appear in the matter C 1^3 J matter, as Me^ al?a/h'^d^ or PUmt-Jln^ck^ ha- ving not one word of Senfe to fay : For, alas ! It is not their bare afcribwg the frji Cdufe of all things to Na,ture^ Chanccy or Fortune^ that will here avail them any thing; becaufe matters of this Nature muft be more* evidently ?72adif out^ and ingenioufly handled^ than ever any of thut Society has yct.ElTay'd to do, in order to per- Jrvade the World, that thefe Wonders of Heaven are not the jtupndious Works of God \ V/here now is the Man, and what's his Name, that af- ter the reading of this EJfyf^ candifcover fo much weaknefs^ as ftill to continue in the State of the Faithlejs^ unkfs he can, give a readier Jnfiver to every Que fi ion here propofed ? Whicji I dare affirm, without any overweening Thoughts of my meaner Works^ can never be done by any Man living, unlefs they could by fome Magical Arts bewitch the Minds ofMen^ into fuch a phren- zy of Vnbelief as to adhere to their wild md groundlefs Notions^ with unaccountable Obfli- nacy. And this I am fare is the. Cafe of every one, who entertains any Blafphemous Thoughts of God, or preliimes to difoyvn htm for their Sove^ raign Creator, And from hence it may be inferred that it is much more Eligible for any reafonable Man to go to the fupream Founder of Heaven and Earth, which can be no other Beings Caufe^ or Efficient y bat the /r/ Perfon in the ever blef^ fed Trinity^ and own him to be his Maker with a ftedfail Faifhy and firm Belief than to bewil^ C 114] der his Soul with a multitude of Atheijlicd Thoughts^ which he knows not how to make out in any point whatfoever ; and he who does fo may be juftly accounted to court Dammtion in earneft, by confufedly dijlurbmg their own peace and tranquility of Mind^ whilft they call into queftion the ^eing of an All-feeing God^ and lay the firjl Caufe of every Work of Crea- tion to l?lind Chance J ' or fome unfeen Accidents. May I therefore prevail with every frofeffing Chrtflian^ to own 3. Deity ^ and acknowledge a Providence^ to be the main Fountain from whence all other Caufes arife: I mean not only by ma- king a bare Profeffion thereof in Words ^ or in out- ward Behaviour^ but adding thereto furity of Hearty -dSid. fanctity of Life: tor whofoever they be that fuffer their Actions to contradift then- Creed^ they are as much Atheifis' inwardly ^ as pro- feffed ones are outwardly ^ and their Damnation will be equally inevitable. Moreover I here take leave to lay down, as a Maxim to fucceeding AgeSy That there is no Man now living on Earth, that has a True Faithy and fledfaftly believes God to be the Supream Maker of the higheft Heavens by the Word of his Power y and that he will one day r^//? up the dead Bodies of his Saint Sy with thofe of Sinner,Sy to live in endlefs Joys or Eternal MiferieSy that ever \\'\\\m^Y QOmmits one premeditatedy o\: wilful SWy d,g2imft Fathery Sony 3.nd Holy Ghofi:, And how fevere foever this Affertion may feenl to be to the c'arelefs Ubertmes in this our Age, tliat vainly Stile .C "5 J Stile themfelves Bel/evers, 2ind outwardly wear the Badge of ChrifiUnity^ they will ere long fin^ It true^ to their EverUfiing Shxme \ except they are born Again ^ and become as little Children in Innocence^ and Meeknejs of Temper, fo as to be kind to all, and -hurtful to none, tho' of neve? fo diferent a Perfwafion^ as to Opinion, Seft, or Party, provided they adhere to the'Tr^h in Jefus. What I have now afferted, I take to be no Dtgrcffion from the Subjecl in handj fince my firil Defign of treating on this necejfary Head^ was not only to Confute thofe that pull off their Vizards^ and act the part of Atbeijis on a pub- lick , would iTot the Shelly wherein the Stone hung^ be many Millions of Millions, hun- dreds of Thoufands of times Ten Millions of times larger every way than the faid Peble ? Why even fuch a difproportion there is between the lofty Sky and the little Globe of the Earthy that lies lodgM in the Mid-rvay of that Vniverfal Round. O then ceafe not, my thoughtftil Soul\ to admire the profound, unlimited, unfathomable, and unexpreffible Porver^ and Wonderful Work- ings of the only wife Godj for that thou hall feen his Wonders in their high eft Extent ; and from this injlant of time quellion no more his infinite Beings Power^ and Council^ than thou doft thy living at the Moment when thy Pencil^ or Tongue^ is drawing out or dehneating this live-^ ly Sceney in fuch plain Characters and intelli- gible Exprejfions. Confider therefore, O my dif- cerning Soul ! whether it will not be more cafy for God to gather up the fcatter'^d Particles of xhy confumed Body at the "judgment of the great Day^ and mould it after the fmilitude of his Son^s mofi Glorious Body ; a^ it was once for Jlim to make a whole World out of a confufed Heap of Matter, and this of Nothing ? 'Prudently weigh this Cafe, O iny precious I 5 ' Sou4! [ ii8 3 Soul I whether it is not ??iuch more eafie for a SufrzAm Power J to unite this thy Spirit to its old Compa;7io^thQ Body^ when the Trumpet founds its laft AUrurn^ and bids the Dead Arife^ as it was cfFeflually to Command that a great Lumi- mry fliould appear i'n the £^y?^r;^ part of the Earth, and give Light to a ^^ry& Chaos r* Reafon with thy felf, O my Darling Soul ! whether it is not as feafible to hellevey that thy Soveraign Kjng can take thee to himjelf^ when Death fe- parates thee from this Clod of Clay ; as it is to make a New Moon every Month, and caufe it to jhine forth on the fruitful Trees and barren Plains^ when no other Light appears in the upper Regions^ but only the fainter Beams of the 'numerou^s Stars. Argue with thy felf, O my Dear Soul ! if it is not as much in the power of the Lord God Jehovah^ to fay with an ejfeff- ing Might to the Atheift at the Great AJJizey Depart from my prefence^ and be for ever un- done ; as it was to weave out a Canopy to in- circle the whole Globe of the World^ and to beftud it all over with an infinite number of twinkling Stars oi different Lujlres? Then why fhould'ft thou Queltion, O my Beloved Soul! but that that Power which made the Sun^ Moon^ and StarSy will give thee a Royal Crown when thy Chrijlum i^^ is run : not fuch an one as is admiredy and ferverhly courted by vainly ambiti- om Mortals ; but a Diadem of Glory, that will for ever fljine- more bright in the view of jf^/? Men made perfect to all Eternity, than many material C "9 3 material Suns^ ov fbimng Moom, tho' inviron'd with all the innumerable multitudes of twmk- ling Stars ? Be not then caft dow^^ O my La?^- guijhing Soul ! but arm thy felf with the Hel- met of Faith^ and BreaJl-pUte of fur-e Works^ that whenever Infidelity^ or mean Vhougbts of God arife from thy corrupted Heart, as an over- flowing Stream^ thou may'ft draw the Wea- pon of true Belief and hew down the pernict- ous Treey from which fuch pyfonom fruits do proceed: For confider, O my Drooping Soul I that the fliort dreaming Joys of Vnbelitvers^ can never counterbalance ^^ lofs of Heaven^ which is the Complement of folid Happinefs \ or com- penfate for Eternal Pains : Since thou art oimore 'value to thy felf, than Ten thoufand Worlds, and ^hy Pretenfions to Glory ought to be infi- nitely more precious to The6, than thofe of any Mortal Race to an Earthly Diadem : For if tliou art lofiy all is gone with thee: And if to win the favour of Men is like to prove fo hard a Bargain to 4:hee, my Darling Soul ! Fll fcorn their SmileSy and never dread their Froivns^ but continue here in Solitude^ till the Perfon of the Son of Gody who is now abltaining from Meats, beckens me hence, to do and Offer fomething more jvith and for him, during his abode in a mortal State, For be it known to thee, my in- ejlimable Soul! that I kt a greater price on ;:hy worth, than to pawn thee to Eternal Defpair for Ihort unfatisfying Bod/ly Pleafures^ d.nd tht Re^ . putation of a Wit, by dishtlieving tlic Attributes I 4 ot [ I20 ] of Gdd^ and afcribing the frji • Original of the World to a fudden jumble of thoiightlefs Jtoms^ or I know not what other infignipcant Word. No, my Soul ! I'll leave thele empty Sounds^ and fanciful Dreams^ to be fcatter'd among the Darlings of the Earthy and hafte to found a Re- treat from fuch fwelling Waves of Atheifm^ whofe poyfonous Waters have overflown the Land of thy Nativity^ as a mighty 0^^"^;^ or fwelling Deluge: For with grief be it known to thee, O my Soul / that the main Fleet of Mankind, have, as it were, weighed Anchor ^ and are now falling down the muddy Channel of Infidelity^ in order to fet Sail in the Black Sea of Damnation^ where they fhall never find an Harbour ofRefi^ or a Port of Safety j but be forced to reel to and fro to the tedious Ages of a long Eternity^ by the firong Gujls of God's incenfed Wrath. Then, let who will take in Fraight for fo dangerous n Voyage^ Pll joyn the little Squadron that is bound for the Canaan Shore ^ and run thro' the Storms of Infamy and Reproach \ if fo by any means I may but arrive fafe at the Port of Eternal 'Joys^ and behold the City of the New Jerufalem^ where Streams oi Pleafures flow from the Well-fpring of •Life. But here I'll arreft the Current of my Difcourfcj and ask my Courteous Reader^ if fuch 'Arguments and Conjideratwns as thcfe may not be thought Jufficient to melt a frozen heart in- to drops of trickling Tearsy and even to caufe an Infidel to cry out in the angur/h of his Soul, O Whatfball I do to be fanjcd't Unlefs I bitterr ly C 121 1 ly grieve for the lewd Crimes of a maligmnt Itfe^ and fay to God, / now believe^ 0 keep me ftedfajl in the Faith, And then let who Wilijirug- gle for thefe periling Nothings^ I'll never be ambitious to wear 2i fading Crown^ or fway a Gol- den Scepter ; altho' I could be fo fortunate^ as to have the one plac'd on my Brow, without the glance of an Envious Eye, or to grafp the other into my hands with the unanimom confint of all the Lords and great Men^ and the loud Ap^ p lauding Shouts of every meaner Perfon ; for fuch Grandure can avail me nothing, when the £- miffaries of Death come to hover round my dying Ptllow, and I am juft going to Launch into the vaft Ocean of Eternity. No, no ; I fear I fhall find it hard enough to reach the Bay of Refl, without being loaded with the weighty Fraight of Government : So that whofoever will, may ftrive for thefe vani[hing Shadows, but as for me, I fhall never be defirous to Command, as Generaliffimo ovtv the Forces ofany/C^//g, State^ or Province, altho' my Name were to found great, and my Perfon to be revered in the highefh degree by every Souldier of Fortune ; fmceVuch an honourable Pofl will be no gain to me, when thickned Clots of flopping Flegm lye ruttling in my Throat, and foretels 2i fudden Change -^ and I find, by fad experience, my precious Soul de- ferted by the God that made it. No, no ; I Ihall find it work fuffictently difficult, and the Corn- bate will be fljarp enough, to break thro' the lanctng Pikes of Sin, by a moft indifpenfably ne- ceffary Skill in Spiritual Warfare,, without in^ [122 J cumhring my felf in other Military Affairs^ or learning the politick Intrigues of material War : For I cannot but fancy, when a Soldier comes to Heaven, he"*!! find no Admirers of fuch who imbrued their cruel Hands in Streams of Crim- (on Bloody or were expert in taking Towns by Storm ; but will hear thofe Aff lauded as Hero- ick Souls^ who could without a panick Fear be ty'd to Stakes^ fcorch'd with Flames^ and boiPd in 0/7, for the Tejiimony of a good Confcience^ and the Z^al they bore to God their Soveraign Kjng : Not that I aver it a Sin to defend a Right e- om Caufe^ with naked Sword in Hand, or even ' to Jheath its bright Blade in the Bowels of a Tyrant's Forces, provided our: Intentions ^vt for God and our Religion^ and not for the Ends of Tride and Vain-glory. But I only take leave to give it as my Opinion^ That it is much better to feek Peace on any terms, if it can be attained with the fafety of our dear Religion^ Laws, and Liberties^ and to dwell with me on this foli- tary Mount ^ near the Perfon of the Son of Gody and cry out with the Royal Prophet^ PfaL 8. j. and fay in this his patbetick Language, I'll Confider the Heavens^ even the works of thy fn- gerSj the Moon^ and the StarSj ivhich thou hajl ordained. Or as as it is recorded in PJal. 19. i, 2, J, 4, 5, 6. The Heavens declare the glory of Gody and the Firmament jheweth forth his handy p;ork'j day unto day utter eth Speech^ and night unto night floeweth knowledge. 2 here is no fpeech^ nor laftguage^ where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone thro* all the Earthy and their ivords to the [ 12? ] the e/jd of the World: In them he hath fet ci Ta" herr/ncle for the Sun^ which is as a Bridegroom com- im forth out of his Chamber^ and rejoiceth as a Stro?7g Man to run a Race. His going forth is from the end of the Heaven^ and his circuit unto the ends of it ^ -and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof Let therefore whoever will, think fit to in- flame their Blood in Marches and Counter- marches^ in a vain expectation of f itching their Tents in an Ene?nies Camp^ and becoming Majlers of the Field of Battel ; I fhall never be fo fond as to exhauft my Vital Spirits^ for gaining fome few Roods of Ground^^ by llripping the gaudy Plumes of Pride from oTF the dead Bo- dies of a few vain afpiring Mortals^ who per- haps but the day before buoy'd up thtiv finking Spirits^ with a real belief of ftepping up to fome higher Marks of Honour^ by the Van- quijhing of their Foes, or the Fall of their Superiours : For, alas ! it will turn to no ac- count when the Cafements of my Eyes are juft clofing their Lids, and fhutting in to an Eter- nal Nighty or when it is truly reported of me, my Soul is taking its Flight towards the Land of Oblivion : No, no ; I find it a Task hard e- nough to make my Calling and Election fure^ witliout fightings or firivmg for a few paces of Earth, or ^flymg Standard', fo that I had rather Hay me here, and fend up my pure Thoughts to Heaven, where there is no private Spy to over- hear my Secret WhifperSy but the piercing E:\v of God my Father^ who will fooner hear my devout [ 124 ] devout Prayers in this private Recefsj than if I ihould ramble it oVe the World at the head of a valiant Army that had but newly moxxPd down many Troops oirvithfianding Enemies^ and there- by made way to a compleat ViBory. Are not thefe Divine Truths y and convincing Reafons, fufficiently efficacious to charrn the Soul of a daring Sinner into the ardent Love of the faeet Shades of a retired Life^ and make him cry out, Let who will Jlarve their Bodies y and damn their Souls ^ by fitting up many a Winter Night in cafting up their Accounts of Trade, when they hsLVC goods laid uf for many years ^ I fhall never henum my Body, or freeze up the Streams of a pregnant Wit^ by too much anxious Care^ for what I know not who jhall Enjoy : for I am no wife likely to live one quarter of the Age of -Me- thufalem^ or continue my Abode on Earth for many years ; fo that henceforth Tie learn to fpend thofe dark Evenings in my retired Study ^ or the Houfe oi publick tVorJhip^ becaufe I fadly experience all the days of my earthly Pilgrimage to be time little enough to trade for Eternity. Wherefore in private I'le live, in a Shade Fie dye, and in a Cave I will be interred. Tho' others may w^aft a firong Conjlitution of Body, for gain- ing the Meat that perijhesj and be fo fond of thefe outward Enjoyments^ as for their fake to vifear themfelves to a Skeleton, I fhall never be fo greedy oi any thing here below, as to think it worth my while to debilitate Nature^ and ener- vate my Joints, fmce all my youth and firength is infufficicnt to win the Vi^ory over Sin, and attain C i25 j attain Salvation for my frecious Soul: No- thing henceforth fhall decoy me out of this B^^n^^r of Peace^ but the Ca/l of the So/^ of Gody when he is departed hence to fuffer fomething more for the flagrant Sins of Man. Nay, let who will be fo tnconjiderate^ as to trifle away thoiv precious Moment Sy and loyter out their Summer Seafons in unlawful diverjions : I dare not by arty means provoke Heaven J or as it were a/lure the Devil to difplay his fducing Temptations^ by fpending any part of a Short Life in doing nothing that tends to the Honour ofGod^ the Worksof Necejfttyy or A^s of Mercy : But I will pray devoutly^ and inure my Body to fome lawful Employ ^ whereby I may have nothing to chide me at the lafl:, for laying Time as a Burden upon my hands; To that I'le for the future hide my felf in this foli- tary JVi I dernefs from the Z^/// of the Idle, and creep into fome ho/low-Tree^ that I may fhun the alluring Smiles of the M^anton^ who do little die but languifh their life away in Voluptuous living. Nay, tho' any fliould be fo vain, as to pride them fr Ives in their fair Faces or comly Shapely and take a fecret Delight to be admir'^d for their much Beauty^ I fhall never envy them for thefe their miilaken Advantages^ fince they only give them a Right to be compared to a Fortrefs beautified, and fufficiently inriched by Nature^ to tempt the ambitious Conquerors thither to turn their injurious Arms ^ but not llrong e- nough to repell the unwearied Affaults^ or hinder the continual Approaches of the eager and indefa- tigatle [ 126 ] tigable Enemy. No; if I were to be framed 2, fecond time in the Womh^ and to live over again my Blooming Touth^ I would inftantly pray to him that jranPd me^ when I was yet unborn, That he would give me 2i composed Countenance^ ^.Jhaight Bodj/y and an unerring Soul -^ whereby I might not look Morofe^ nor appear deformed^ but defend my felf from the Infults of the Auda- cious^ who can court with a defign to ra'vijh^ Ite with an intent to decei^ve^ and promtfe with a refolve never to ferform. If this were to be the natural Language of all, in how haffy a ftate fhould we be, and how fhouid we firwe as it were to retire into Solitude at Ibme certain Seafons in every year, in imitation of the Son of Gody there to contemplate the Works of Creation^ and live an aujhre fort of life, not in hopes of ?nerit^ ing Eternal Joys by our own Works^ according to the Principles of the Church oxRome^hxxt only that we may w^ Defance to the many Snares of Infi- delity^ relying on the Merits oi Cbnjl for Salva- tion; fince all our heji Performances^ tho' a- dorn'd with human Kjioyvledgey can by no means be pleafing in the pure Eyes of God, or attone . for flagrant fins of an- impure Converfation : For if a Man had the right eoufnefs of the ^PharifeeSy and the Wtfdorn oi Solomon^ he would ftill aipire to peep beyond the Clouds in fearch of fome u?rre' sealed Myftery^ or hope to find fome Eafier way to Glory, in imitation of xho^fpeculative Atheifl^ the Popt{h Priefty and the rigid Predeflinarians^ who are for prying into the Cabinet Council of God's C 1^7 ] God's hidden Decrees ^ to know what was traf?/- achd before the Creation, or 2i{cxiht for give nefs of Sms to mortal Man, by placing him in St. Peter'^s Chair ^ with the Key oi Heaven in his hand, and Ahfoltition in his Power. But here I muft put a ftidden fiop to the Ca- reer of my Pen, nnce the time draws near, when ChriJ} will leave this folitary- Wtldermfs^ and yield Obedience to his Father'^s Will^ by re- turning into Galilee ; therefore I muft go down from this lofty Mount^ and tell the Righte- 0H6 Souls that attended me into Solitude^ that they muft do and fuffer fomething more for the fake of y^/^, before they fee the Face of God in Glory : But before I leave thefe lonely Shades^ rU chear their "drooping Souls^ and revive their Fainting Spirit Sy by ufing this Excellent Form of Words. ' O thou might) God ! the Eternal Kjng of Hea- ^ ven, we have waited the Call of thy beloved ^ Son^ Forty D^ys and Forty Nights \ Now ho ^ bids us hajie awaj to fee his Miracles^ and behold ' his Sufferings : But, Lord ! the Blood feems to ^ chill ivithin our Veins ^ for fear that any Rancour ^ or Plague-fore fliould break out afrefli, to in- ''feci our Souls with the malignant Diflernper of * Vubelief when we come to walk again in the ^ Poifonom Air of a tumultuous City, and fo we * Faint y Bleedy and Dje^ before we reach the Goa/y ' or gain the Prizcy for which we now Runy ' Fighty and Strive. Therefore, O thou Fountain ^ of Lifey and God of Glory \ Prepare for us a 'foveraign [128] * Sovereign Antidote of thine own Vrefcriftiony that ^ may dtffel all Atheifiicd Thoughts^ that will come ^ flying in, as fo many y»?//> Arrows to wound < our Darling Souls ^ and make them bleed afrefh, * lofing the precious Vital Blood o( Faith, for the ^foul corruption oi Infidelity. Thou knoweft, Lord, * we had rather tarry here and Pray^ during the * continuance of Life^ tho' it be but in an bowling ^ Wildernefs^ and a folitary Grove^ than to travel *thro' the many Defiles of a puhlick Stationy ^ with the thick Ranks of labouring Sinners^ where * Vice is dreft up in a tempting Garb^ and varnifh'd ^ over with artificial Colours \ but this is only for the ^fake of the Son of thy love : for fhould he Afcend ^ above the Clouds before Death lays us into the ^ filent Grave ^ we would make another progrels * toward thefe gloomy Shades^ and enter a fecond ^time into Solitude^ fince wt experi?nentally findiy * that the abfence of f^//7 Convcrfation ferves to * jv^-^/^ us- from ^enfe^ and center our De fires on ^ thok fuhlime Joys^ that are altogether unknown * to vitious Men^ and /^-n^^ Women ; delights, that * may be only conceiv'*d in thought by thole that * ^/y^j' V;^/, but not to be exprefs'^d in Words : ^ for our Breathings of Soul are as high as Hea- * ven, and our Quiet of iW/W as calm as the ^peaceful Air^ when abfolutely undiflurb'^d by any * breathing Gales. For our Affe^ions are carried ^ up, as It were in Elias his Chariot, that wx * can even peep into the wondrous Workings of our ^ wife Creator^ and behold his marvellous Doings. ^ O then, what a Seafon have we enjoy'd, during [ 129 J our Jlay in this Thicket of Safety, where all the numerom Squadrons of Vr/beliez/ers^ and the many Battaliofis of Luke -rv arm Chriftians could never approach with their heavy Mortars of Z^- fidelity^ or large Cannons of Deceit^ fo as to De-^ molifly the impregnable Temple of our moil holy^ Faithy or penetrate thro' the Jiro?^g Walls ot our good Works: No, praifed be the Name of him that lives for ever I we have held proof againft all their hiffing Granadocs^ . and fiyi'^g Bombs that came roaring down, and rattling Bullets entring in hke Stones of Hail m a bitter Storm. No; thanks be. to the God that Reigns above^ we have weather'd oS their violent At- tacks^ Cloath'*d with tlie impenetrable Armour of Reafon ) and in fuch a wonderful manner, that they feem to be driven back^ and tarried to fight ^ never to rally again io long as Sun and Moon endures, or the Stars twinkle on high ; becaufc fuch were the only Weapons whereby we de- fended the Rower of God^ and ftop'd the flight of their fiery Darts^ making them to recoil to their own Defiruclion and Eternal Shame^ in fuch a fignal -manner^ as may ferve for a Mo- nument of Defeat to After- Ages, that none may prefume to rife up in Arms of Rebellion againit that Beings which firji infused into them the Breath of Ltfe^ making them to differ from the Beafis that perifh\ and that in a moment of time can Proclaim, them Rebels^ even by their own Declaration. O the Joy which w-e conceive to ourfelves! at the finking of the old Atheijlical K Catife^ [ ijo ] Citufe^ and expofing the weaknefs of their Forces to publick view, that for the future none may be fo vain as to rally their fcattered Troops^ to n;iake head againft Triumphing Truth^ or fpeak in their praile, who cannot anfrver for them- felves. O then let our refoundtng Harmony be heard throughout the Nations of the Earth: Nay, let it Eccho much more melodioujlj in the liflning Ears of every true Believer^ than the piping Organ ^ and other Inftruments of Mirth, did to the hearts of the Loyalifis at the Cathe- dral of St. PauPs^ in the Year of our Lord God 1702. when our Soveraign Lady Queen JNNEj attended with others her C ounce llors and Judges of State, thought meet to hear Te Deum Sung in a Protejlant Country^ for the defeating of a Romijh Tyrant^ who never thought it a Crime to dijfemble with God^ and deceive his Subje^ts^ by Singing Anthems of Thanksgiv- ing^ generally calPd Te Deum^ for the fhamefui Retreat of his Armies^ or the Dilhonourable hearing away of his Fleet. CHAP, t IJl J CHAP. XL The Power of God irrefragahly proVd hy Aftronomy,- or fome Reafons given to evince that 'tis Very probable^ that there are Inhabited Worlds in the Sun, Moon, and the other Planets, together tvith the fixed Stars. I Fancy that I hear Believers^ as well as J- theijts^ decrying me with a mighty jhout^ as a Broacher oi new Opwions^ and ^V2in^t Amotions ^ faying, Where is that Mortal^ that can by all his Wifdom and Learning take a Dimenfion of the Earthy Sun^ Moon^ Stars^ or other P la- net s\ or Meafurehow far diftant they are fi'om each other? If not^ How bold an Attempt is it for any to pretend to give any tolerable Ae- county how many Years 3. fmft Arron? would be in flying from this Earth to the Stin ; or fay, That a Bullet would be near Seven Hundred thoufand Years pofting it in its Race from this lower World to the neareft Orb of the fixed StarSy fince the lofttejl of them feems to be but Sijhort da/s fight from the lowejl Valley. I readily grant thefe are high Poi/Hs^d.nd intricate Theams to treat upon, and fuch as may ieem jiartling to them that know nothing of Aftro- nomy : Yet I hope, by Divine Aflijlance^ and by K 2 a t X32 ] a modejl Enquiry into the flufenduom Works of God, not only to give the more knowing part of Mankind an entire fat isf act ion therein, but make it appear plain and reafonahle even to my meanefi Reader^ yea and moft violent OppoferSy tho' formerly never fo avei fe thereunto : To the difplaying whereof, I fhall alTume this following Method; I. To give you the Sentiments of o- therSy and then to deUver my own Reafons^ why it may or may not be fo. Copernicm was of the Opinion, lliat this Earth of ours is a Planet^ car- ried round and enhghtned by the Sun^ hke the reft of thofe wandring huminaries \ an Opinion, which, in my thought^ is not altogether a Chime-- ra^ but feems to carry fome weight of Reafon a- long with it ; fince there is room to believe, that it is like the other Planet Sj which have their Laws of Motion^ and alio in all likelihood Inhabi- tant s^ as well as this Earth of ours : My Reafon for it is this, Becaufe I know the Moon is diverfify'd with long Tracts of Mountains^ and again with broad Vallies * for when that part of the Moon which is turn'd to us, is partly illuminated^ in it are to be feen Shadows of the Mountains^ caft towards thai part of them that is farthefi from the Sun ; and at fome certain times little round Valleys between them, with an Hillock or two perhaps rifing out of them. Kjpler is of the Opinion^ That xhty 2iVtfome vajl Work of the Rational Inhabit ant Sy which are Arguments of a Relation and Kjn between our Earth and them, as well as a proof of \}i\^ Truth of that Affer-- tion ; c n? ] tion : But to render this Point ftill more Intelli- gihUj there is an Invention which bears the name of Telefiope^ by help of which we may difcern the Blgnefs and different Forryis of the Planetary Bodies^ and difcover the Mountains^ and the 67W^jr j of them, on the Surface of the Moon \ but be there Inhabitants there or not, it ftill fliews the mighty Power of God, in making them fo large and wonderful) and in my Opinion, muft need fcrve to confute the Atheijis in their filly Notions^ and add ftrengh of Faith to the fincere Chrijiians, Cardinal Cufanus^ and Cardinal Brennus were not only of the Opi- nion, That there were Worlds in the Planets^ but thought that the Sun and fioced Stars had an Earthy and Inhabitants in Each of them. Fii'ft as to the Sun^ I believe it to be of a Fafl Circumference^ and capable of entertaining witli- in its Borders, many more than this little Globe of ours : But when I confider^ that it is composed of a fery Nature^ I can't fo readily ajfent to the Opnion^ tliat it hath Inhabitants: But thus far I know, that the Infinite Power of God could eafily, when h^vj^iS forming the Creation^. have produced a Generation of Rational Crea- tures capable to live in fuch an Element^ with as much Eafe and Health of Body ^ as we do in ours : But fuppofing I believed there were any Inha- bitants in the Sun^ I fliould rather chufe to moderate the matters on both fides ^ and dehver my Sentiments J which I think will carry fome K 5 colour colour of Reafon along with them, in this man- ner: When we peep thro' a Tclejcope^ we may eafily difcern feveral dark Spots in the Sun^ with more than ordinary Brightnefs feeming to in- circle them ; now it is extremely probable^ that each of thefe may be an Earthy Peopled as this of ours is; which is the moro feafible on this Ac- jCOunt, becaule it is believed by all who are skilPd m Ajironomy^ that the Sun is many Millions of Miles dificint from any part of our Sublunary Earthy and is above a Hundred and Eleven times bigger : which in my Opinion is not a Fancy ^ but a Reality ; becaufe they who are Majlers in that. curious Science^ have Rules whereby they can . Meafure the Heigth and Circumference of that Great Luminary^ as alfo xhi^ Stars and Planets '^ which if duly Conjider'^d^ it is but reafonable to believe^ that there may be very near a true Ac- compt given di thefe things ^wo I'efs than of the Eclyp- fes of the Sun and Moon^ and other Appearances of the Planets : Wherefore if it doth appear^ that the Sun is of fuch a i//^ Extent^ I think it is not altogether unreafonable^ to be of the Opinion that there may be as many Inhabited Continents in that Glorious Larnp^ as there are StelU Bor- bonify or MacuU Solaris^(\, e.) Borbonian Stars^ or Solar SpotSy which are difcovered in Num- ber Thirty^ and their Climate near, if not alto- gether, as moderate as is this of ourSj notwith- ilanding it is in it felf a fery Body \ fince the Al- mighty may ufe fome fuch Methods to fhade the exceljive Burnings from them, as he does to qua- lifie [135] lifie his fcorching Heat unto us, viz, by drawing over them thicker and chiller Clouds of Water, 2inAfmmng them with the cooler Bla/ls of Wind, to rtadtrjupportalp/e to them the fultry Heats of their Air: Fpr it is known, even to all that Iiave taken a^^j furvey oi xXxzWorkmgs oHQod and his Creation^ That as to thofe places of our earthly Globe ^ that are more direftly exps'dto^h^ Violence of they^'/^y* Beams ^ he has covered them therefrom, as it were wdth a Canopy of refrigera- ting Clouds^ and ordainM the coolmg Breaths of Air to preferve them from being burnt up by the fcorchmg Rays of that igneous Orb) for neither are the gathering Clouds^ nor blowing IVinds much above the tops of many Hills ; nay, not fo high as fome Mountains, as has been often ex- perienced by thofe that have afcended thefe of their own Country^ where they h.ave either Fainted^ or Died^ or come down all over in a Bath of Sweat with the inexpreffible Heat they found there \ I fiiy then, tho' the Sun may be of it felf higher^ yet if thofe dark Spots that are feen therein, are inhabited Earths (as fomeconjefture) no doubt but God, with his wfe Council in the Trinity^ preferved them equally with us : But be there Worlds therein or nor, yet I am ilirc, it is Wonderful to behold, and moll: evidently de- monjlratcs, that there is an Almighty God con- cerned therein. 2. As to their Opinion^ wlio think that there is a World m Qvcvy fxed Siar^ it is not fo ab- furd a Thought^ as many rcrfoas are apt to i- K 4 fnagine^ m^gine^ fincc it is granted by vtx'j Ingenious ^x\^ worthy Men^ and efpecially Chrijtianus Huy- gens^ that great Majier in JJtronomy^ That the fix^d Stars are fo many v^n perfwade Qxht\:s to be of the Mind, That there are more JVorlds than this of ours^ are theie Tm Two weighty Confider At ions'. The one is drawn from Script urey the other from Sight and Reafon : Th J firji is in Heb. i. 2. G(?^ hath in theje lafi days fpoken unto us by his Son^ whom he hath appointed Hetr of all things \ by whom alfo he made the Worlds. Tht fecond is this, There are innumerable more fxt Stars^ than we can behold with our Eyesy I mean without the help of any Injlrument. Now how could thefe be made for the Vfe of Mankind^ that for fome Thoufmds of Tears were not known to them, and that even at this day are not able to affeft the mojl penetrating Eyes with a glimmering Eighty which is the Influence that of all others reaches furtheft ? And if it is true, that they were not made for the ufe of Man^ the next and only probable Conjecture we can make, is, That they were fomPd each for its proper Inhabitants ; or we muft fay that they were created to no Purpofe at all ; which were abfurd to the highefl pitch of Extravagancy. If any will call in Queflion what I have af^ert- ed^ That the Number of fixt Stars undifcoverable by the naked Eye^ is 'vaflly greater than that of thofe to be difcern^d thereby ; I would only de- fire him to be fo curious for once, as to make ufe of a Telefcope^ and they will eafily difcern above Ten or Twelve times as many more^ than they can otherwife perceive. This is not the conceit only of fome whimftcal Star -gazer s^ or the new Jlarted Notion of lome Crazy Brainy but an un- doubted Reality, and certain matter of faft. Where- C 139] Wherefore I can't but perfuade my fe/fj that this vponderful Immenfity of the Works o^God will bring every one to the firm belief oi\\\s Bemg^EJfe^ce^2ind Attributes. I could have produced many more co- ^ent Arguments^ why it is but reafonable to be of "^OfimoHy that there are Inhabitants in the Sun^ Moon^ with the reft of the Plmets and fixed Stars J who are governed by the fame general Laws and Statutes as our Forefathers^ or at leaft are try'd by they^^^e "Judge^ I mean the fecond Perfon in the Godhead : But I fhall leave all fuch things to every Man's own Reafon^ to think of them as hepieafes, fincc God hath not been pleafcd to reveal it^ whether it is fo or not ; this being a point not in the Icaft relating to our Salvation. The true Defign why I treated on thefe in- tricate Subjects^ was. That every one may Con- template with aftonifliment the Wonders of Hea- ven^ and cry out with me, Now I have had a clearer View than ever of the wonderful Works of God, and from hencefortli fliall nzvtv em- brace an unbeco7ning Thought of God, either a^ to his Almighty Power ^ Wtfdom^ Mercy ^ J^fi^^^y Truth J GoodnefSj Patience^ or Omniprejence : for behold I am now ajlomjh'^d^ v/henever I take a furvey with thefe bodily Eyes^ and fee beyond thofe Stars^ on which my Forefathers fo often gazM with Admiration^ and difcern Ten or Fif- teen times as many more as ever they concluded there were, and all as large as this Ball where- on I move, few of which were ever by them fuppofed C 140 ] fuppofed to be either fo lofty or fo Urge: But that which feems to raife my Contemplations even to an Extafa of Wonder^ is to confider what a vajl Number there is yet mdifcover'^d^ and may yet be feen by mortal Eyes^ when rny Bo- dy lies immur'd in the Womb of this point of our Earthy by the help of fome Inflrument yet un-nam'd, or un- thought of; and after all that, what a 'vdfl Hofi there may for ever lie hid from all the Jucceeding Generations of Men : fo that now I am convinc'd, that all our former Opinions touching the Amplitude and Magnificence of the Works of God^ was nothing in compari- fon of what rve now knowy and yet we are, as it were, but flill in the very Rudiments of thefe real Numbers and vaft Sums of Beings, that are ftill conceaPd in the Almighty'* s Immenfe Trea^ fury. O my God ! I now fee that Forty or Fifty FigureSy can no more come near the numbring of the Starsy than an i, and a Cypher reaches the Sum of a Million of Millions ; No, my God 1 I Queftion, if I could make as many Figures of 8, as men livM iince the Creation^ whether it would Caft up near the Sum ; and yet after all, thou may 'ft have left an Infinite Vacuum' beyond that determinate Space which thou haft replenilh^d with BeingSy to fhew how inconfide- rable all that thou hafl madey is to what thy Foxver could have donCy had it fo pleas'd thee. But now, Lord ! I w^ill ftrive to withdraw my Thoughts from proceeding any farther into thy Secrets^ C 141 3 Secrets J left I run into an Intricate Difpute of In- finity, and fo dijhonour Thee^ and lofe my felf in an untraceable Labyrinth of Conceptions : So that ril here put a ftay to the Motion of my fwift Thoughts^ and learn by degrees this Excellent Form ofFrayer. ^ O thou houndlefs Creator of the Worlds ! ' what a little MoU^nll^ or Bank of Dujl is. this *• fmall Terrejlrial Ball, which we and all Man- ^ kind here Tread and Trade upon, when mea- ' fured with the JVorks of thy Hands \ for if e- Wery twinkling 6V^r*that glitters in the Vpper ^ and Lower Orbs \ I mean thofe that are vifible^ ^and thofe that are not, are bigger than the ^ Globe whereon I now walk ; what an immenfe ' Diflance muft there needs be between every one ^of them? Oaftonifhing Creation! a wonderful * Work not to be conceived, what a ^ower there ^ WM in thee and the o\X\zx: f acred Perfons of the ^ Trinity, when thefe things were fram'd ; and ' what a Wifdom there is in thee, the Father, Son, ^and Holy Ghofl,. in preferving all things ever * fince, in the fame curious Order, and beautiful ^ Repair, as at the Creation ; and what an Al- ^mighty Breath muft that needs be, whereby * with one Blajl, and a (brill Sound, all the /;?- ^ habitants of this World, or any other, fhall rife *, ' the Earth or Earths be diffolv'd, the Elements ^ fhall melt, and all thofe be as if they had ne- ^ver been. O my God! how do fuch chilling^ ^ Thoughts ftop, as it were, the brisk Career of ^the Blood, circulating in my Veins, whilft I ' fear [142 ] ^ fear left I fliould offend thy Commmds^ at whofe * Name I now tremble, O thou greAt founder ' of all ! and much more than Eye can behold *with any new invented Injlrument^ tho' never * fo artificially made by the moft ingenious : O ^then be not angry at what is paft; if I have ' done amifs^ I'll learn to do fo no more : Or if I ^ have at any time adventur'd curioujly to pry * too far into thy wondrotis Doings^ I pray thee * pafs it by, as an Effe^ of Z^al^ and receive * it not as a Sin^ for (if a mortal Man may be * permitted to ffeak once to an immortal God^ *it was only to confirm my Faith^ and that of ^ others^ that none for the future may fre- 'fume to deny thy Effence y or difown thy ^ Power » *- But, Lord ! no farther do I dare to peep ' behind the Curtain of thy moft vifihle Rarities *of Frovidence. No, I have looli^d fo fiar there- *' in^ that I dare gaze no more^ but divinely mufe *on what I have already feen^ and learn to ' prachfe what I now believe and know; fo that * after this my Knowledge, I may not be num- * bred among the carelefsy or ftand amongft the * Lift of fuch as own a Deity ^ but deny the Vni- 'ty with the fecond and third Perfon in the e- < ver bleffed Trinity. O my Eternal King ! may * I never be fo blafphemou^y as either by l^hought, ^ Word, or Deed, feem to feparate the glorious ^Godhead, of Father^ Son, and Holy Ghofy or * ever maintain fuch an idle Difcourfe^ but al- * ways be furnidi'd with fuch Argument s^ and unanfwe- C 143 ] * unanfwerable Reafom^ as to ftand my Ground^ * and Fight ^iciorioujly^ when attacked by thofe * who pretend they own Thee ibr the Creator of < the Vniverfe, but frefumftuoujlj deny the £)i- ^vinity of thy 6W, and my ^A^^-^ Redeemer^ * and that the the Comforter is equal with ^Thee in Pojver^ Truthy and "Jujlice^ or in the ^ leaft concerned in the framing this mighty iVork * of wonder. O then may I have power to re- * found it in their Ears with a loud zfoice^ hke ^ Peals of terrible Thunder ^ that unlefs they af- ^ firm, and believe, that thou the Father ^ Son^ ^ and Spirit J are one and the fame^ lb as never to * be divided from each other, or inferior to one * another, they will be undone and /(?/ y^r ^- ^ ver ' O my God ! may I take leave to fpeak for ^ once without offending Thee, and to fay, That ^ if I know the Refolutions of mine own Soul, * tho' all the Inhabitants of the Earth fhould lb * far err from their Chrijlian Faith, as to fay, * That thou the Father of Mercies caufcd'il the ^ great Luminary to fhine in the yonder Sky, ^without the Council of thine only Son, and ^ Holy Ghojly yet I would note it in the Calen- ^ dar of my Creed to fucceeding Ages, That the ^ Bright' Sun, which is computed to be above * Seven Millions of German Miles diftant from * this Earthy was as much the Work of thy £- * ternal Son, and that of the Holy Ghojl Eternal, ^as it was of Thee the Eternal Father', for had *not all Three affifted, and faid, \t fhould he C 144 ] ^foy it would never have peepM out its refui- ^ gent Head through the thick Cafements of black ^ Darknefs, nor given its glorious Ltght^ wliere- ^ by we por Mortals might have beheld its 'gilded Rays J or meafur'd out its Jbining Linea- ' merits with a Line of Ajlronomy ; but for ever, ^during our ftay on Earth, mull: have wandrek ' thro' the difmal Shades of a gloomy Darknefs^ * in likenefs of thofe forfaken by God and Man : < O let not the Lord be angry, if I adventure ^ once again to fay. That if I know the Inten- * tions of mine own mind, tho' I were fo fur- ^ rounded with a Band of Men, who without ' Reafon^ Fear^ or "Judgment^ fhould endeavour ^to diftil into the Mind of Men, that thou, ^ the Fountain of Life ^ ordained'fl the Moon^ which ' now appears by Night in Regions much lower ^ than the Sun^ and is judgM to be Thirty times ^ leffer in his Diameter than the Earthy with- ^ out the Advice of Son and Holy Ghoft ; yet I * will not ceafe to let them know, That when ^ that Nocturnal Lamp was firft hung forth, the 'Son Almighty y and the Holy Ghoji Almighty y ' were equally concerned in Jetting up of that ^jhady Light ^ as thou the Almighty Father ; or ' otherwife, we the Inhabitants of the Earth ^fhould never have beheld its Victjjitudes and ' Changes^ or been enlightened with its glimmer- ' ing Beams in this our Pilgrimage to the Grave; ^ fo that ^11 Generations that ever liv'd, muft * have ftumbled up and down in many a gloomy ' Evenings [ 145 ] * Evening, as fo many benighted Travellers in ^ their Journey home. 'Lord, he not djjpleas^d, and Fie fpeak but * vr;cc more :^ and ii I know the fccret Receffes * of my Heart, fay. That tho* I (hould be (o un- ' happy as to be taken, as in an Amhnfcade^ by ' thofe who make no Scruple to fill many Sheets * with their tinpardonable Lines 3 affirming, That * Thou, the Everlafling Father^ ordered*ft every * Star to be fet in the hfty Orbs 5 fome of which, ' by due Confideration, is thought to be up- * wards of 77777777777 Leagues off from the * Earth.whtVQ we now fojourn^ without the aid- *'ing Hand of Son^ SLudHolyGhoJl -^ notwithftan- * ding this fudden fur prize ^ I would inftantly re- ' lieve ^^yfelf and put thm all to flight, by lilling ^ fome Pages with ftrong Proofs of invincible ' force,that when theFirmament was^/^zp.-^y^T'/^/V/^ * with thofe numberlefs Numbers of twinkling ^ fiery Diamonds, That Emmanuel Dn create^ and * that Paraclet Z)ncreate,W2LS as aiding in hanging ^ them up fo high, as thou the Father Uncreate^ * or not one of thofe SparUes would ever have ^bcjpanglcd the Heavens with their admirable ^Gliftering^ but the Poor Mariners miiOi ever ' h^vejleerd in Jeopardy towards their Appoin- * ted Port, as affrighted Pilots in a Storm amidfl: ' the Craggy Rocks and S^ick-Scinds. No, my * Eternal King^ never will I divide the Trinity^ *or leffen the Vnity, but daily Pray to Thee, * the Father, So.^, and HqIj GhoJ}^ to refrerti my ^langHid Sold vjV.h the befprinhling fiovpcrs of *■ Divine Infplration^ fo that my Spirit be not L i»oimded C 145 ] * woHKcled by the Hands of thofe that hate me ^ ' even fuch, whom I have jaft caufe to believe *are now awaken d out of the dee,^ Sleep of A^ ' theifm^ as a Man by the Out-cries of a dread- ^fid Fire, by the irrefiftible Whifpers of proving * a Providence by the Extraordinary Works of * Nature 5 but are run as Men kcrazd'into a * more dangerous State of Damnation, which is ' Deipu 5 and fpeaking without any Conjidera- Uion of Spirit, that Jepis the Saviour of the * World is not God as well as Man^ nor the * Holy Ghofi Coequal with God the Father and * Creator. O my God ! bid them all be gone, * and be undone for Ever 5 fince I defire to know * none of their Ways^ or dijpute with fuch as ar- * gue. That neither thy Son^ nor the Holy Ghoji * is any wife related to Thee^ as to thy Omnipo- * tency^ and Incontprehenfiblenefs^ without bring- * ing oneyfo^/e Proof out of Holy Writ^ why it ' fhould be fo : O thoufirji Perfon nam'd in the *Three^ may all thofe hcbanrj/fd thy Sight, and * driven as Chaff before the Wind^ who ftrive, * by any means, to Jeparate Thee from the other ^Two^ who are all Coeternal together in the *fame Trinity. Now will I fhew my Zeal to this united Godhead^ by gilding it out in Large Chara3ers on the Pillars of every Houfe^ where due Ohedi- tnce is paid to Hea ven,That there is One God the Father, One God the Son^ and One God the Holy Ghofi 5 and yet not Three Gods^ but One God^ by reafon that every One was, is, and ever will C 147 3 will be the fame in Eternity^ Might ^ and Wifdom ^ although it is confefs'd, That there are Three Lords, and yet but O^e Lord^ on account that the Father^ Sof7^ and Holy Ghojl feemingly were fepirated, as Three Degrees^ and Names^ but not any wife divided in NatPtre^ or Suhftance. O, my God ! thefe are fuch high Thoughts of thy wondrous Workings m the Creation,and fuch nohte Idea s of the Mjijierjf of the Trinity^ that I fcarce know how to put a (lay to the fwift motion of my running Pen^ or recall my intent Meditations^ in order to treat of Subje&s not fo amazing and intricate: yet if I ftay to make any further Enlargement^ or feck to knoiv more than I have here difcover'd, I (hall wear out Nature, and load my Spirits with more than I am able to bear. O then take Compadion on me, O thou the firjl Caufe of the ZJniverfe ! for I am in a Conflift betwixt Two, whether I fhall ceafe to enlarge on thefe weighty Heads, or mvike afi/fther Progrefs therein, fince the latter would be Gain to thofe, who can hear, and conceive mighty Things of Thee: as to thy Immenfity and Godhead^ \v ithont tXC flaining their Souls wkh Sin, or prejudging their Labouring Minds ^ but of no advantage to others, who are of a we^/kcr Capacity^ becaufe there are Arguments enough already U5*d to prove the certainty of thy Being and Union with the Second and Third Perfon 5 and in fuch a Plain and Familiar Stile, that ev'n Perfons arriv'd but to the Age of Ten year s^ L 2 may [ 148] may learn and underftand more to the Eternal Profit oi their Immortal Souls, than many that count Three fcore^ by the more elaborate Effays. Therefore I fhall chufe rather to bring this Treatife to a fpeedy Period^ in hopes to profe- lyte fome young Scholars to the true knowledge of God^ and True Religion^ than to fill a large Volume with an Intricate Enlargement, only to gratifie fome Curious Speculators, that already perfeftly underftand all that is requifite to ^e Known ox Praiiis'd: wherefore I hope it will not be imputed to me, as if I could treat no longer on fuch high Topicks, if I feem to fhut up this Chapter, with Entring upon another, and Meditating oil the Blejffed Place^ that is fiird with the Glory ofGed's Majejly, and that of his Son, arid the Holy Ghoji. CHAP. XIL Divine Tf^oughts of Glory, or the unlimi" ted Bounds of HeaVen. OGod, Chrift, and Spirit, One, and yet Three : Three, and yet One ! I poor Of- fender am approaching with all humility of Heart, and Reverence of Soul, to bow my Face to the Earth, and mount my Meditations beyond the furthermoft ^y/z^r/, that I may view, by the piercing C H9 ] piercing Eye of Faith^ where Heav'n is, and how long my Spirit Ihall be in its Paffage thi- ther, after it hath taken its ultimate farewell of th^ fleeting Vanities of Senfe-^ and left a lifelefs Body to be devoured by a numerous Swarm of crawling Worms. For it is recorded by the Learned in Aflronomy^ and attefted by the In- gcniousJThsit the fwifteft Motion that ever was, would be many Thoufands of Jubilee Tears in mea Turing out that immenfe Diflance between the Earth and the fixed Stars: what a tedious while then will it be, ere my 5^^/// comes to arrive at the Royal Seat where that Bhjfed Coun- cil fits ?And muft my poor Spirit be many Hun- dreds of Ages in its i^ajfage thro the Regions of the Air, after its releafment from the Burden of the Flefb} O what 2ifurprize is this to me,and how do*s it al/ay the Hopes I once had. That the Heav*n where I would fain bs is nigh at Hand, whereby my Soul, the infifed Breath of the Almighty^ might foon be enircd therein, when its great Work here on Earth was done? O ! what a ftartling is this to hear the fad News, That this divine Ray of my Immurtal Mind muft be fo long in his afcending up to the Gates of Sion} I fear, thefe unwelcome Tidings will slacken my pace, and caufe me to of end rcithout Control: O Father^ Son^ and Spirit, may I here be heard to make Anfwer to rhis my moHrfifnl Complurrrt, and not always fuffer my dear Soul to be oftlifted with Grief,and over- vphdm^d with Flouds of Sorrow^ to think of its L 3 long [ I50 1 long Voyage from the Lands End of this World to the ficarefl Port of the Heavenly JcrHfahm. O my Soul ! be not cafi dovcn, and thus dijplri- ted in thy panting Heart, but dijpell all fucb fenfelefs Fears^ and childifld Tremblings at thou knoweft not what : admit it is fo far to the Jlar- ry Sky^ as ever any Mortal fnppos'd it to be 5 what matter's that to Thee, fince tkj Pajjage will be as fjort to Glory, as if Heaven were ]u?i at hand} For confider, O my affrighted Soul ! That that Council which at one Word made the immenfe Firmament^ fixing all the Stars therein, can, and will in a Moment^ or the pulfe of an Artery wing Thee up a Million of times Higher^ if Glory htfo lofty ^ which in my apprehenfiony2;;5^e part of it is, if not much fub- limer '^ for I can't but fancy. That every hlejfed Inhabitant there, will be Eternally /^^r/>jf up in the Air of Blifs, and yet never mount fo far^ as thereby to Dipleafe, Father^ Son^ and Holy Spirit^ or come to the utmofl Extent of thofe Regions 5 and in my Opinion^ the Limits of Heaven are fo exceeding l^'^g^-, that admit zglo- rifyd Saint were defirous to take a Progrefs therein for Ten hundred thoufand Millions of Years, and to fpeed as far in evry Moment du- ring that long fpace of Time, as it is from the variable Moon to the Jplendid Orb of the daz- ling Sun, yet that happy Angel v/ould not be near the end thereof: For if this World, or Worlds, are fuppos*d to be of fuch a large Ex- tent^ which is. made only to continue fome Thonfands C 151 3 Thoufands of years, and after will fink into its Primitive TOHTJ^ of what an unlimited j^ ace muft thefe Regions of Joys be, where God Father^ Son, and Spirit eternally dwell ? Nay, my Sentiments of the Circumference of Heaven are yet larger : For fuppofmg every Star to be a Worlds and that there are as many Births in a Day in every one oi thtm, as there 2iXtnovp Men living on this Earthly and that all of them are to be Heirs of theMip Jeryfalemjet evVy particular Soul v/ould have more room to themfelves, if defired, than all thofe Worlds Joind together^ and laid in an open Plain iNay, I dare adventure to make one Effay more. That the City where Father^ Son, and Spirit reigns, is not to be meafur^d by a Thought, how ample fo ever that may be, and how frt>iftly foever it may move. For as God is Ir^ffnite^ and there is no end of his himenfityi^^ui his Eternity ^\s for ever and will have no Period-^ fo is Glory beyond all Bounds^ Limits, and Extents whatfoever. O Father, Son, and Spirit^ what pure Contimpla- tions are thefe to my Soal ! Thnm^hts. that feem to carry me above the Empty Phantoms of Earth- ly Delights^ and fwallow up all 7?;y D